Afenifere Condemns Kidnappers Demanding Virgins, Drugs as Ransom

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has issued a strong condemnation of the unprecedented and shocking demands made by bandits and kidnappers across Nigeria. In a press release dated Saturday, March 7, 2026, the group highlighted that criminals are now demanding virgins and hard drugs as ransom for abducted victims, marking a disturbing escalation in the country's security crisis.

Unprecedented and Barbaric Demands

Comrade Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, detailed the alarming situation, stating that kidnappers have demonstrated extreme heartlessness. "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 revealed.

Even more bizarrely, the kidnappers hilariously asked for virgins to be brought in exchange for four men they had previously abducted. This demand underscores the brazen and dehumanizing tactics employed by these criminal elements, who show no regard for human dignity or societal norms.

Widespread Insecurity and Attacks

Afenifere condemned the recent wave of terrorist incursions, particularly in South-Western Nigeria, but noted that the crisis extends nationwide. Ajayi lamented the barbaric treatment of kidnapped victims, including merciless beatings and humiliation, with some losing their lives even after ransom payments were made.

The statement cited numerous incidents that illustrate the pervasive nature of the insecurity:

Attacks on churches, police stations, individual homes, and highways.
Sacking of communities in Kwara State.
Killings of farmers and attacks on travellers along the Igbeti-Kisi road in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State.
Kidnap cases in Ekiti State, where victims were killed and their corpses held for ransom.

"Until recently, the home environment was considered a 'safe haven.' Unfortunately, that is no longer the case," Ajayi emphasized, pointing to a couple attacked in front of their home in Akure, Ondo State, where the husband was shot while trying to prevent his wife's abduction.

Geographic Spread of Violence

The crisis is not confined to any single region. Afenifere reported similar protracted attacks in Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Borno, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Katsina, and Kaduna States. In a tragic twist, returning refugees from Cameroon have also fallen victim in Bauchi State, highlighting the cross-border implications of the insecurity.

Specific cases were recounted to underscore the brutality:

In Erinmope-Ekiti, Elder Igwe, father of a former deputy governor of Ebonyi State, was abducted on his way to church on Sunday, March 1.
A family of five was taken at 7 p.m. while people were at a mosque for evening prayers.
Bandits reportedly went from house to house in Kubwa, Abuja, earlier in the week, robbing and abducting residents.

Call for Decisive Action

Ajayi stressed that while terrorism and kidnapping are rampant, the problem is not insurmountable. "Bandits are neither spirits nor invincible," he asserted, calling for urgent and decisive measures to address the root causes.

Key recommendations from Afenifere include:

Cutting off bandits' funding sources, which involve unscrupulous wealthy individuals, local and international organisations, some state actors, communities paying protection money, ransom payments, and illegal activities.
Investigating foreign actors involved in illegal mining who may be driving the sacking of communities.
Pursuing sponsors and intermediaries of banditry, blocking their funding and weapons sources.
Raiding bushes where bandits hide, tackling corruption and sabotage within security forces, motivating personnel, and ensuring the immediate establishment of state police.

Support for State Police

Afenifere commended President Bola Tinubu for his determination in advancing State Police, citing his call on the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments for its immediate implementation. The new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, was also praised for inaugurating a committee to determine modalities for State Police deployment.

The organisation reiterated its call for South-West governors to implement measures to raid bandits' hideouts, maintain constant surveillance of vulnerable areas, and cooperate fully with the Federal Government to ensure the prompt establishment of a state police system in their states.

This comprehensive approach, Afenifere argues, is essential to rescue Nigeria from the current security hiatus and restore safety for all citizens.