By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Mr. Philip, along with other party leaders, fell victim to a kidnapping incident on their return from a Stakeholders Zonal Caucus meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Sources reveal that the abductors, yet to be identified, have demanded a staggering ransom of N200 million for the release of the party leaders. This unsettling development adds to the growing menace of kidnappings, which has been a major concern in various parts of the country, including the Northern and Eastern regions.
The Southwest, traditionally considered a haven from such criminal activities, is now grappling with the alarming rise in kidnapping cases. The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, recently sounded the alarm over the increasing incidents of abductions in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and other parts of the South West.
Afenifere’s spokesperson, Jare Ajayi, emphasized the need for urgent intervention, urging President Bola Tinubu to address the identified “political, economic, and ideological factors” responsible for the surge in kidnappings and banditry. The call echoes the concerns raised by the Department of State Services spokesperson, Peter Afunaya, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the challenges at hand.