The Yoruba Youth Socio-Cultural Association (YYSA) has expressed deep concern over the escalating incidents of kidnappings plaguing South-West Nigeria. In a statement released to The Guardian in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the association’s National President, Olalekan Hammed, and National Secretary, Olawale Ajao, conveyed their alarm over this troubling trend not just in the South-West but across the country.
The YYSA emphasized the urgency of enhancing the capabilities of the Amotekun Corps to effectively combat this surge in kidnappings. The association strongly urged the governors of the South-West region to take immediate and decisive action to address this growing threat to peace and security.
In a related development, the Ogun State Government has called on its citizens to adopt a heightened sense of security awareness. Recognizing that safeguarding the community is a shared responsibility, the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, highlighted this during an in-house staff training at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Hamzat, represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, stressed the need for vigilance and safety consciousness in these challenging times.
According to a report by The Guardian, the training session, deemed crucial in the current climate of insecurity, aimed at equipping workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves and contribute to the overall safety of their communities.
Acknowledging the relative peace in Ogun State, Hamzat commended the government’s efforts but emphasized that there was still much to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.
The Guest Speaker at the event, Commander Soji Ganzallo of the Ogun State Social Orientation and Safety (So-Safe) Corps, represented by Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, reiterated that security and safety are responsibilities that fall on every individual. He encouraged citizens to play an active role in fostering a secure environment.
The growing concern over kidnappings in south-west Nigeria reflects a broader issue of national security challenges facing the country. The YYSA’s call to action serves as a reminder of the critical need for concerted efforts by both the government and citizens to combat this menace and restore a sense of safety and normalcy to the region.
