Youth leader raises alarm over Fulani herdsmen kidnappings in Southwest

Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the National Youth President of Afenifere, has issued a passionate call for urgent security reforms following his harrowing 12-day abduction by Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State.

The prominent Yoruba youth leader recounted his traumatic experience and revealed alarming intelligence about the kidnappers’ expanding operations across Southwest Nigeria.

Ojajuni, who was ambushed near Akunnu Akoko, Ondo State, while traveling to Abuja, narrowly survived an attack that left his vehicle riddled with 19 bullet holes.

He suffered two gunshot wounds, one of which barely missed his spinal cord, and endured brutal beatings—up to 72 strokes per day—at the hands of his captors.

With increasing reports of kidnappings, armed robberies, and violence linked to organized Fulani criminal gangs, Ojajuni is demanding immediate and decisive action from state and federal authorities to combat this growing security crisis.

During his captivity, Ojajuni witnessed firsthand the well-coordinated structure and sophistication of the kidnappers.

The gang, armed with over 20 AK-47 rifles, had access to high-tech surveillance tools that allowed them to track, monitor, and control communication channels.

He further revealed that the kidnappers operate out of multiple organized camps spread across the Southwest region, strategically located to facilitate their activities: Ondo State – 27 camps; Ekiti State – 16 camps; Osun State – 7 camps; Ogun State – 5 camps

“The criminals are not just random bandits,” Ojajuni warned. “They are running a highly sophisticated operation, with deep knowledge of military tactics, logistics, and advanced tracking technology. They even monitored security movements and adjusted ransom locations to evade capture.”

The kidnappers initially instructed that Ojajuni’s ransom be delivered in Ikare, but later moved it to Ibilo upon discovering that security operatives were tracking them.

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In his statement, Ojajuni criticized the inaction of state governments, particularly the Ondo State government, for failing to tackle the worsening security situation. He has now called on the Southwest Governors’ Forum to convene an emergency security summit that includes youth representatives and key security agencies.

Formation of a Southwest Youth Security Network – a coordinated security force working alongside the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Forest Guards to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community surveillance, and ensure rapid response to security threats.

Deployment of security personnel to identified hotspots along highways and forest borders to dismantle known kidnapping camps.

Expansion of highway security checkpoints to monitor suspicious movements and intercept armed gangs.

Comprehensive security sweeps of criminal hideouts in Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ibilo, and Lagos States.

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Ojajuni pledged to provide intelligence gathered during his captivity to security agencies to help dismantle the criminal networks operating across the region.

Ojajuni issued a chilling warning about future abductions, revealing that during his captivity, the kidnappers boasted of expanding their operations in Ondo and Lagos States.

“They spoke of hidden camps within Lagos State, specifically along the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Road, near Oso-Sa Ijebu, where they are planning new waves of attacks,” he disclosed.

This revelation has sparked fresh concerns among security analysts, who warn that if immediate preventive measures are not taken, Lagos—Nigeria’s economic capital—could become a major target for these armed criminals.

Ojajuni paid tribute to the resilience and bravery of his fellow captives, including his driver, Garuba (Dongo), and the seven men and two women who were abducted alongside him. He specifically acknowledged two women who suffered severe abuse and are still undergoing medical treatment:

“This is not just about me,” he emphasized. “The suffering of these innocent Nigerians must not be in vain. Their stories must serve as a wake-up call for urgent reforms.”

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Prince Ojajuni has issued a five-point demand to the Nigerian government to tackle the Fulani herdsmen kidnapping crisis head-on:

Strengthen cooperation between regional security outfits like Amotekun, Nigeria Police Force, and the newly proposed Southwest Youth Security Network.

Ojajuni commended the Inspector General of Police for initiating an intelligence-based rescue operation and acknowledged the swift intervention of the Nigeria Forest Team. However, he insisted that “more needs to be done to prevent further tragedies.”