Afenifere Leader Reveals 55 Kidnapper Camps In South-West After 12 Days In Captivity

Afenifere Leader Reveals 55 Kidnapper Camps In South-West After 12 Days In Captivity

The recently released National Youth President of Afenifere, Eniola Ojajuni, has disclosed that kidnappers have established at least 55 operational camps across the South-West region………READ MORE

Speaking on Sunday, Ojajuni, who was held captive for 12 days, revealed that Ondo State has the highest number of these camps, followed by Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun states. He urged security agencies to launch coordinated operations across forests in Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ibilo, and Lagos states to dismantle these criminal hideouts.

Recounting his ordeal, he stated that the kidnappers openly discussed plans to escalate abductions, particularly in Ondo and Lagos states. According to him, Ondo has 27 camps, Ekiti 16, Osun seven, and Ogun five.

Ojajuni was abducted on February 17, 2025, while traveling from Ondo State to Abuja, triggering widespread calls for his release. During negotiations, the kidnappers demanded a ₦100 million ransom and released distressing images of him. His eventual freedom was secured through an intelligence-led operation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Following his release, Ojajuni urged South-West leaders to take immediate action against rising insecurity. He proposed a regional security network in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Forest Guards. He also called on the Ondo State government to take urgent steps to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.

Emphasizing the need for enhanced intelligence gathering, he warned that the growing audacity of criminals must not go unchecked. He pledged to share intelligence gathered during his captivity with security agencies and advocated for more security checkpoints along highways and forest borders.

Ojajuni commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Forest Team for their swift intervention but stressed the need for more proactive security measures to prevent future kidnappings.