The Agbekoya Farmers’ Society of Nigeria has alleged that victims abducted from schools in parts of Oyo State are being transported through forest corridors across neighbouring states in an attempt by kidnappers to evade security detection.
According to Vanguard on Wednesday, the group made the claim while responding to the increasing wave of insecurity affecting schools, highways, and rural communities across the South-West region of Nigeria.
In a statement jointly signed by its President-General, Chief Kamoru Okikiola, and National Public Relations Officer, Chief Olatunji, the Agbekoya organisation stated that abductees from communities such as Esinele, Yamota, and Alawusa in Oriire Local Government Area were being moved through dense forest routes by their captors to avoid interception by security operatives.
The group expressed concern over the worsening security situation and urged South-West governors to adopt a coordinated and unified regional security strategy to effectively address kidnapping and banditry across the region.
It further stressed that the South-West should operate as a single security bloc rather than individual states working separately. According to the statement, a joint forum among governors would help develop a more structured and effective response to rising criminal activities.
The statement read in part: “The South-West, as a region, needs to coordinate and restrategise, not as six separate states but as a united region. South-West governors should form a forum to agree on a joint approach.”
Agbekoya also disclosed its willingness to support security agencies in combating insecurity, noting that it has sought approval from both federal and state authorities in the South-West to contribute to security efforts.
The group said its members are prepared to assist using traditional methods and local intelligence networks. It added that although they do not possess firearms, they rely on indigenous protective practices and community-based strategies to safeguard rural areas.
“Our organisation has traditional weapons, not guns, and local charms to protect the entire South-West and also disarm bandits and kidnappers. Agbekoya farmers and security personnel can effectively protect South-West forest reserves, rural communities and schools without guns, just as our forefathers did many years ago,” the statement added….Read_More…