Southwest Leaders Urge Tough Anti-Kidnap Measures
By Wolimoh Abdulmateen
Leaders from the South-West, under the banner of the South-West Security Stakeholders Summit, have declared strong support for the creation of state police and the introduction of the death penalty for kidnappers. They believe these measures are vital to reducing the rising insecurity across the region.
The summit, themed “Towards A United Front Against Insecurity in Yorubaland,” was held at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in Lagos and hosted by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, alongside other prominent Yoruba leaders.
In a communique signed by Gani Adams, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, and Amitolu Shittu, the leaders said they remain committed to tackling the many security challenges confronting communities in the South-West. They pledged to promote a coordinated and inclusive approach to crime prevention, conflict resolution, and the restoration of peace.
The communique warned of an ongoing push by extremist groups in the region, stating that “there is an unrelenting attempt by the Jihadists to complete the conquest of sub-Saharan West Africa, which they started in the 1800s by violent conquest.”
It also described kidnapping and banditry as a dangerous, multi-layered threat, adding that “kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria is a hydra-headed monster… serving the purpose of instilling fear, accumulating funds for levying war, ethnic cleansing and takeover of our arable and mineral-rich ancestral lands by Fulani jihadists.”
The leaders called for the immediate creation of state police across the South-West. They urged governors to adopt public recruitment of indigenous people, especially those with proven experience in security and public safety. They insisted that the new security system should combine cultural knowledge with modern tools such as drones, UAVs, and remote surveillance technology.
They also proposed a talent-based global volunteer programme, saying: “South-West governments should establish a talent-based global volunteer programme… allowing Yoruba professionals across the world to volunteer and contribute in structured, merit-based roles.” The goal is to bring in skilled experts while maintaining strict vetting and trust standards.
To support local security operatives, the communique advised the creation of an independent Security Welfare Fund, backed by citizens and the diaspora. It suggested that a non-partisan project under DAWN should help manage welfare support for operatives across the region.
On agricultural and security reforms, the leaders called for a total ban on open grazing and recommended that all cattle be transported by vehicles or rail. They urged states to create laws allowing for cattle ranching and encouraged the Bank of Agriculture to fund private investors interested in ranch development.
They also demanded stronger border protections, saying the Federal Government should begin building fences and walls along Nigeria’s borders with Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic.
The communique expressed full support for any foreign assistance that could help Nigeria defeat kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists, as long as the country’s sovereignty and international laws are respected.
The leaders appealed to Yoruba communities, especially young people, to work closely with security agencies in the fight against criminal groups. They also encouraged South-West governors to collaborate with traditional rulers and Yoruba leaders in Kwara and Kogi States on security matters.
Finally, they stressed the need to empower traditional rulers, stating that “for traditional rulers to effectively perform their roles in intelligence gathering and control within their domains, it is important to invest them with constitutional responsibilities.”