Responsive mechanisms: Eliminate surging insecurity threats in the South West
Although insecurity albatross have been very stormy in northern Nigeria, it is not to say other parts of the Country have been excluded from the reflections of security challenges. In fact, the extension of the waves of insecurity in the Country cannot be said not to have been finding reflections in some other regions of the Federation as the Sout-east. Localised security challenges in the South-East, particularly with the clamour of secessionist movements have recently heightened security challenges in the zone. In the South-South, troubles of awakening agitations have been showing forth.
The South-West which has been on note of recognition as fairly secured, however, is apparently catching the cold of security challenges. Reflections of insecurity mayhem are apparently taking infectious turn in the zone. While over time, there has been records of clashes borne by herders’ attack, particularly along farming routes, the vibration of same recently may be assuming newer dimensions. Widely unreported cases of encroaching, with impunity, on farming settlements in strategic locations in the zone have been rife. Although resistance by locals against the trend recently recorded some deterrent strokes against mischievous elements among herdsmen, the regrouping of activities have begun again to take some reflections.
Beyond encroachment on farmlands and its associated threats largely deep seated in the north, the reflections of kidnapping-for-ransom as it has become pronounced in the North, not too far in historical distance, and as have been found in other zones as the South-South, have begun to take reflections in the South-West.
Recently, some parts of Ekiti State have been enmeshed in the scourge with recurring aggression. Ogun State which neighbours Lagos known for some relative peace, has begun to record the same with reflections of growing wings. Places in close proximity to Lagos as Ota have recorded cases of same. Monday 16th May, 2022, was the record of another incident at an area known as the Araromi Ikeshi, in close proximity to Obasanjo farm, Sango-Ota, that would choke the community in panic when heavily armed unknown gunmen numbering about 30, reportedly in black overall and helmets stormed the community, breaking into houses and abducting people. It was reported the gunmen came in two white Toyota Hilux vehicles and a black Toyota Tundra pick-up, gained entrance into the house of one Elijah Adeogun, aka (Akogun), shooting sporadically. The records of cases of kidnapping have left clouds of uncertainties in the air, as residents would closely link every sight of unconventional/unusual operation to kidnap-for-ransom, even when they may not be necessarily so.
In March, two siblings, Esther Kehinde, 20, and David Kehinde, 15, were reportedly abducted from their home at Oremeji Street, Ijoga Orile area of Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State. It was reported the victims were abducted from their residents around 9:00pm while carrying out domestic chores. Report mentioned the victims’ grandfather, who was also present at the scene, was lost after he was hit in the head by the kidnappers. It was reported after about twelve hours, the kidnappers had contacted the family of the victims, requesting N15 million ransom before the victims could be freed.
In February, unknown gunmen reportedly abducted a nursing mother, Salimot Ajibola, along the Rounder area in the Abeokuta-North Local Government Area of Ogun State. The victim was reportedly kidnapped while she was in a car with her husband. The gunmen had after abducting the victim called the family to demand N25 million ransom for her release. Salimot was released after a negotiation was struck with a N3million ransom.
Enough signals of security distress have reflected in the South West to show necessity of nothing but a firm grip with stringent measures to forestall the possibilities of these threats from graduating into an explosion of insecurity albatross. The stormy insecurity heat in the north likely began as threats considered too insignificant with flexing arms on the part of the government and every other relevant societal fabrics within the region, until it worsened beyond firm control.
It is pertinent that the Government and all relevant stakeholders in the South West give due diligence, against watching in docility till situation wax gross beyond controllable limit. The narratives of the northern experience should form enough experience for South West stakeholders to draw from.
Strengthening local security architecture with responsive mechanisms should not be undermined, as police capacity to securing the Federation appears to be currently limited to give a firm control over insecurity threats.
