Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, has called on prominent Yoruba figures to take proactive measures against the escalating insecurity in the South-West region. In a video shared on his Instagram page on Friday, the 69-year-old singer urged Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, and the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, to not leave the responsibility solely to President Bola Tinubu.
Kwam 1's Appeal for Unity
Kwam 1 emphasized that all hands must be on deck to protect the South-West from rising insecurity, kidnapping, and the continuous killing of innocent Nigerians. He called on regional figures to unite and safeguard lives and property. "The two of you (Sunday Igboho, Gani Adams) must not leave the President to handle this matter alone. It concerns all Nigerians and the Yoruba people. The Yoruba are the ones ruling the country, and for things not to fall apart on our watch, Gani Adams and Igboho must rise, call all the warriors, the Agbekoya, and their troops to defeat this kidnapping and killing," he said.
The singer further appealed to powerful individuals across Ijebu, Ijesha, Ekiti, Ife, Egba, and Lagos to stand up against the menace. He described the situation as a disgrace to the region and stressed that President Tinubu should not be left alone to handle the crisis. "Kidnapping and killing are becoming a terrible pattern in this region, and this will not be tolerated here. Igboho, call Gani Adams, and all of you must move fast on this issue," Kwam 1 added.
Call for Traditional and Military Intervention
Kwam 1 urged Sunday Igboho to respond to growing calls from citizens to declare war on the issue. He also called on traditionalists in the region to deploy their skills and powers to rid the region of kidnappers and killers. "All the Yoruba people are asking you to wage war, and everybody will follow you. Sunday Igboho, on this issue of kidnapping and killing, let this growing problem become a thing of the past in this region. All warriors, wherever you are, do not sleep. Governors, mobilise all the warriors, the police, and soldiers to address this matter," he stated.
Kwam 1 emphasized the need for a united voice, saying, "We want the killing and kidnapping to stop in Nigeria during the tenure of Asiwaju, my principal. We must speak with one united voice on this matter. Let those who know the use of herbs apply them, those skilled with arms act accordingly, and those gifted in the use of charms deploy them; evil must stop in this country."
Obesere's Appeal to President Tinubu
In a separate video on his Instagram page on Thursday night, Fuji musician Abass Akande, known as Obesere, appealed to President Tinubu to use the power given to him by Nigerians to end insecurity. Obesere noted that serious security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and armed robbery, have instilled fear and hardship among citizens.
"Tinubu, we have given you power, use it. If someone has offended you and it is making you angry, remember we are all human beings; do not hold on to the offence. Help us find a solution to this kidnapping crisis, because some people are exploiting it as an opportunity. Some who are neither Fulani nor Hausa have now made kidnapping a trade, yet once they act, we all point at the Fulani," Obesere said.
He urged the President to think of the mothers, the abducted children, and those who have been killed. "All these matters rest on your table; help us find solutions. The power is in your hands, and no one can question how you use it, so use it rightly. Think of the mothers. Think of the one-, two-, and three-year-olds among the abducted, those being beaten with sticks and guns, and those who have already been killed," he added.
Call for Decisive Action
Obesere noted that insecurity has prevented many citizens from sleeping peacefully or going about their daily activities without fear. In the video, tagged "an open appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," he stated that President Tinubu has the authority and responsibility to take decisive action to protect lives and property.
"Please act so that you will not carry a bad name, and this nation will not fall apart during your tenure. Let your legacy not be told as a shameful history to generations yet unborn. The people look up to your leadership and trust that stronger measures will be taken to restore peace, security, and confidence throughout the nation," Obesere said.
He further urged the administration to intensify efforts against criminal elements and ensure that every Nigerian can live without fear. "Mr President, we respectfully urge your administration to intensify efforts against criminal elements and ensure that every Nigerian can live without fear. May God guide you with wisdom and strength as you lead our great nation toward peace, progress, and prosperity," he concluded.
Background of the Kidnapping Incident
Premium Times reported that gunmen abducted 32 people from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The gunmen also beheaded one of the victims, a mathematics teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun.
Since the abduction, many Nigerians, including entertainers, have condemned the continued captivity of the victims and demanded their immediate release. Actors and musicians such as Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, ID Cabasa, Davido, and others spoke out against the worsening security situation under President Tinubu's administration. Kwam 1 and Obesere joined the growing list of entertainers expressing grief over what they described as Nigerians becoming increasingly desensitized to the rising wave of violence. They questioned which places and people could still be considered safe and called for divine intervention and the safe return of the captives.
