South West people paid N3bn to kidnappers in two years-Gani Adam’s
By Samuel Ogunsona
Victims of kidnapping in the South West covering the old Western Region have paid about N3bn in cash to kidnappers in the last two years.
Speaking in Abeokuta during a security summit held on Thursday, Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams said unfurtinately, the funds collected by the kidnappers are in turn used to procure arms to fortify themselves in Yoruba territories.
He said Aare Ona Kakanfo said “When you quantify the amount of ransom that has been paid in Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Ekiti, Akoko and Yewa, it is even more than N3 billion.
“When you quantify those people that were killed, maimed in all these jurisdictions, they are more than 400 people.
According to him “There is the need for self-government or regionalism in the country where states governors would control the police and other security architectures of their states.
He said further “In the North, the story is even worse; bandits have taken over the entire North-East, North-West and Central. In Kaduna for instance, about 500 schools have been shut indefinitely.”
He said over 200 people have been killed in the period under review adding that the number may continue to increase.
Observers at the summit fear the kidnapping in the South West may continue due to lack of authority by state governments to tackle the menace coupled with cold attitude from the Federal Government
The Aare Onakakanfo made his views known at the South-West Security Stakeholders’ Group which tool place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Aare Ona Kalanfo said his vantage position gives him the opportunity to receive first hand information on security issues across the country.
He advocated for a weaker centre and self government saying it remained the best alternative for the people to be able to tackle the menace of insecurity
