Gani Adams: South-west lost over N3bn as ransom to bandits in four years

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, says victims of kidnapping in the south-west region lost over N3 billion, paid as ransom, within the last four years.

Adams said this on Thursday, during a conference organised by the south-west security stakeholders group (SSSG), which held in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

While noting that insecurity in the region has reached an alarming dimension, he said the group was formed to address security challenges in the south-west.

He also said the group will partner with security agencies across states.

“The south-west has lost over N3 billion as ransom paid to bandits and kidnappers ravaging the region in the last four years. And sadly too, we have lost a good number of our great sons and daughters to the criminal activities of the killer herdsmen and bandits,” he said.

“The situation in the country is so worrisome that travellers can hardly travel for a journey of about six hours in the country without facing the trauma of being kidnapped or killed by bandits. The recent killing in Jos was a sad reminder of the gory situation we face daily across the country.

“Insecurity has reached an alarming dimension where there is urgent need for us to take drastic action towards ending the prevailing scourge.”

Gbenga Akingbehin of the department of public law, University of Lagos, who was the guest lecturer at the event, said the “forced” amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 became the country’s biggest problem, adding that long years of military rule in Nigeria contributed to the current level of insecurity.

Also speaking at the event, Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, applauded the efforts of the group, saying it would go a long way in addressing insecurity in the region.