The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has condemned recent shocking ransom demands by bandits and kidnappers, which reportedly include virgins and hard drugs for the release of abducted victims.
In a press release on Saturday, March 7, 2026, the organization’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, highlighted the rising insecurity in South-Western Nigeria and other parts of the country.
“The greatest demonstration of the heartlessness of these evil-doers was their demands for N1.5 million, Indian hemp, cocaine, a synthetic drug known as ICE, and cartons of canned beer for the release of a corpse in their captivity,” the statement read. “The kidnappers even hilariously asked for virgins to be brought in exchange for four men they had previously abducted.”
Ajayi lamented the barbaric treatment of victims, including beatings, humiliation, and even deaths despite ransom payments. He cited attacks on communities, churches, police stations, individual homes, and highways in states such as Kwara, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina, and Kaduna.
He called for urgent action, urging government at all levels and security agencies to intensify efforts against bandits. Ajayi emphasized cutting off the financial sources of kidnappers, investigating foreign actors in illegal mining, tackling corruption within security forces, motivating personnel, and establishing state police.
Afenifere commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting state police and praised new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for forming a committee to determine deployment modalities. The organization also urged South-West governors to actively raid bandits’ hideouts and maintain constant surveillance of vulnerable areas.
“Bandits are neither spirits nor invincible,” Ajayi said, stressing that decisive action can curb the menace.
