Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, the National Youth President of Afenifere, has disclosed that kidnappers have established at least 55 operational camps across the South-West region.
TheNewsGuru recalls that Olajuni was kidnapped on Monday, February 17, 2025, while traveling to Abuja for a meeting.
Following his abduction, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had tasked the IRT, an elite police unit, to track down the kidnappers and secure Ojajuni’s release.
Ojajuni regained freedom days after a ransom of at least ₦17 million was paid, according to a top family source.
Speaking on Sunday, Ojajuni, who spent 12 days in captivity, said that Ondo State has the highest number of these camps, followed by Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun states.
He further called on authorities to conduct comprehensive security operations in forests spanning Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ibilo, and Lagos states to dismantle these criminal hideouts.
Ojajuni, while recounting his ordeal, noted that the kidnappers openly discussed their intentions to intensify abductions, particularly in Ondo and Lagos states.
He stressed the need for enhanced intelligence gathering by security agencies and state governments to tackle the rising threat.
“The criminals have established well-organised kidnapping camps across South-West Nigeria, strategically positioned for their operations: Ondo State – 27 camps; Ekiti State – 16 camps; Osun State – seven camps; Ogun State – five camps,” he stated.
“During my captivity, the kidnappers boasted of their plans to intensify abductions in Ondo and Lagos states, citing their hidden camps in these regions. They also revealed details of their operations along the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Road, near Oso-Sa Ijebu, weeks before my abduction.”