Ibadan traditional chieftaincy title holders, known as Mogajis, have appealed for the support of governors in the South West states to address the rising issue of kidnapping. The Mogajis emphasized that effective security measures to combat kidnapping require collaboration with the governors, particularly in Yorubaland.
This plea comes in response to recent incidents of kidnapping in Oyo State and the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State. The abduction of the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Philip Aivoji, and other party members on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway further highlights the urgency of the situation.
The President of Mogajis of Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori, and Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Nurudeen Akinade, issued a statement expressing deep concern over the resurgence of kidnapping in Nigeria, particularly in the South-West zone. They stressed that the increasing rate of kidnapping across the country, gradually spreading to the South-West, is a cause for serious concern.
The Mogajis highlighted the strategic importance of Ibadan as the gateway to other South-West states and declared their commitment to taking action against the menace. They emphasized the need for collaboration with various community development groups, associations, security agencies, hunters’ associations, and traditional institutions to address the security challenges effectively.
The statement urged the government to establish security synergy with volunteers, local security networks, and relevant stakeholders to find solutions to the issue. The Mogajis acknowledged the efforts of regular security agencies and Amotekun but called for continued deployment on highways and major roads to prevent kidnappings during major events.
In conclusion, the Mogajis emphasized the urgency of addressing the insecurity in Yorubaland, calling for collective efforts to prevent the situation from escalating further.
