The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has expressed outrage over the shocking requirements imposed by kidnappers and bandits, who have started to demand virgins and hard drugs as a price for the release of hostages.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 7, 2026, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, voiced concerns about the growing insecurity that is afflicting numerous states across Nigeria.
The organization condemned the recent upsurge of terrorist activities particularly impacting the South-Western region and other areas of the country.
“The heartlessness of these criminals is epitomized by their demands, which include N1.5 million, Indian hemp, cocaine, a synthetic drug identified as ICE, and crates of canned beer for the release of a deceased person they have captured,” the statement indicated.
Moreover, the kidnappers played an outrageous game, ludicrously requesting virgins in exchange for four captives.
Afenifere urged all tiers of government and relevant security organizations to bolster their efforts in addressing the country's security crisis.
Ajayi condemned the brutal treatment many victims endure, including severe beatings and humiliation at the hands of their captors. He highlighted that even after ransoms are paid, numerous victims still lose their lives.
He pointed to several incidents, including assaults on churches, police stations, private residences, and travelers on highways.
The group raised alarms about communities being displaced in Kwara State, farmers being murdered, and travelers facing dangers along the Igbeti-Kisi road in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, along with kidnappings in Ekiti State where victims were executed and their remains held for ransom.
“Until recently, homes were seen as safe havens, but that perception has drastically changed,” he lamented.
In Akure, Ondo State, a couple fell victim to an attack where the husband was shot while attempting to protect his wife from being abducted. Additionally, Elder Igwe, the father of a former deputy governor of Ebonyi State, was kidnapped en route to church on Sunday, March 1, in Erinmope-Ekiti. A family of five was also kidnapped at 7 p.m. while attending evening prayers at a mosque.
Earlier in the week, bandits reportedly conducted house-to-house robberies and abductions in Kubwa, Abuja.
Ajayi noted repeated attacks across states, including Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Borno, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina, and Kaduna, with returning refugees from Cameroon also becoming targets in Bauchi State.
He recounted a disturbing case from Edo State where kidnappers killed the younger brother of a doctor during an abduction, however, they released the doctor after receiving ransom. Describing a poignant episode, Ajayi explained how when the daughter of a kidnapper required medical attention, the doctor recognized the perpetrators and informed the police, who subsequently arrested them.
“This scenario illustrates that while the bandit valued his daughter’s life enough to seek medical help, he had no qualms about taking the lives of others,” he emphasized.
Ajayi pointed out that although terrorism and kidnapping are rampant, the issues are manageable. He stated, “Bandits are neither supernatural beings nor invulnerable.”
He urged for decisive measures to sever the funding sources for bandits, which stem from corrupt wealthy individuals, organizations both local and foreign, state actors, communities paying protection fees, ransom from victims, and other illicit actions.
Additionally, he called for investigations into foreign entities involved in illegal mining, which have been linked to the displacement of communities.
Ajayi further asserted, “Confessions from captured and tried bandits revealed they had sponsors. It is essential to track down these sponsors and their intermediaries, disrupt the funding and arms supply, conduct operations in their hiding places, combat corruption within security agencies, encourage personnel, and advocate for the immediate establishment of state policing.”
Afenifere commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to promoting State Police and urged the National Assembly to accelerate constitutional amendments necessary for its establishment.
The organization also praised the new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for setting up a committee to outline the modalities for State Police deployment.
Afenifere reiterated its plea for South-West governors to initiate measures to raid bandit hideouts, maintain consistent surveillance in vulnerable areas, and fully collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure the rapid establishment of a state police system within their jurisdictions.
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