Hideouts For Terrorists In SouthWest Revealed

For about two decades, the northern part of Nigeria has battled terrorism marked by attacks on communities, mass killings, destruction, looting and abductions for ransom.

But recent attacks in the South-West, especially the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, have heightened fears that terrorists and kidnappers are now exploiting forests and border corridors in the region.

Since last month, when 39 students and pupils and seven teachers were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Yorubaland has been thrown into anxiety.

Teachers have embarked on strike and protests, while groups and organisations have mounted pressure on the government to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers.

Oyo Corridor Under Watch

According to Vanguard, the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode corridor in Oyo State, particularly around the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, has been identified as a vulnerable flashpoint.

The area is said to have dense forest cover and difficult terrain, making it a source of concern for motorists, commuters and nearby communities.

Last month, two staff members of CRIN were abducted, bringing reported kidnapping incidents in the area to three within three months.

The development has intensified calls for a stronger security presence and coordinated action along the corridor.

Reacting, the President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide and Sooko Agoriesin of Ile-Ife, Sooko Oladotun Hassan, said security across Yorubaland remained a major concern.

“The security of lives and property across Yorubaland remains a matter of utmost concern to all responsible leaders, traditional institutions, security agencies and community stakeholders,” he said.

He warned that reports of criminal elements operating in forests and on highways should not be ignored or exaggerated.

“Reports of criminal elements operating within some forested corridors and along certain highways in the South-West should not be treated lightly, but neither should they be exaggerated in a manner that creates unnecessary panic among citizens,” he said.

Hassan listed some routes where security concerns had been reported, including the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Road, Ilesa-Ado Ekiti Road, Akure-Owo Road and parts of the Lagos-Ibadan corridor.

He added that forests across Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states had featured in security reports linked to criminal gangs and kidnappers.

He further stated, “However, it is important to distinguish between criminality and terrorism in the legal and operational sense. Security agencies are best positioned to make such classifications based on intelligence and evidence.

“What is undeniable is that criminal groups have exploited difficult terrains, particularly remote forests, to carry out kidnappings and other violent crimes.”

Ogun Routes Identified

In Ogun State, several routes and forest corridors have been identified as potential entry points for criminal elements.

They include the Abeokuta-Imeko axis through the Iwoye forest, which provides extensive forest cover and difficult terrain for security monitoring.

Other routes listed are the Badagry-Atan-Abeokuta-Sokoto road corridor and the Abeokuta-Olodo-Ibadan road.

Sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, especially around Ogunmakin village and adjoining forests, have also drawn the attention of security stakeholders because of their vulnerability to criminal infiltration.

Ondo Forests Under Threat

In Ondo State, 16 farmlands and forest reserves were identified, with many reportedly taken over by criminal elements.

The Ala axis of Akure North Local Government Area recently witnessed killings and displacement of farmers by herders.

Notorious hotspots include Ago-Daada, Ago-Oyinbo and Ago-Ademekun farmlands in Akure North.

Over 30 farmers and travellers have reportedly been killed, while many others were injured in attacks linked to the forests in the area.

Suspected gunmen also killed the traditional ruler of Ahungha Village, Agamo Area, in Akure North, Oba Kehinde Jacob Faledun, in his palace during a failed abduction attempt.

In Ugbe Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area, a businessman, Augustine Okoye, was killed after he and his wife were abducted on the Isua-Ise Akoko road.

Amotekun Arrests Suspects

A government official who spoke with Vanguard said military personnel had been stationed in Ala to secure the area and restore confidence among farmers and investors.

“We have now stationed military officers in Ala to secure the land and restore confidence for our farmers and investors. This action will deter criminals from using the forests as hideouts,” the official said.

The Ondo State Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said security operatives had stepped up operations in forest reserves.

He said, “We have had an upsurge of criminal activities. The officers and men of the Ondo State security network mobilised additional support from the neighbouring local government and entered the forest reserves and areas noted for these nefarious activities.

“In the last week, we were able to arrest 32 suspects for kidnapping who are undergoing different stages of interrogation.

“We want to reassure the residents of Ondo State that with the effort put in place by the government of Ondo State, all security agencies were drafted to flush out these criminals from their hideouts.”

Aiyedatiwa Vows Crackdown

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has vowed to deal decisively with kidnappers and their collaborators.

He warned that no sponsor or godfather of criminal activity would be spared.

“If investigations trace any criminal activity to anyone, whether they have legitimate business or not, they will be treated like criminals. No godfather, sponsor or collaborator will be spared,” Aiyedatiwa said.

The governor expressed concern that one community had recorded three kidnapping cases within two months.

According to him, security agencies have arrested 90 suspects in connection with kidnapping and related crimes in the state, with some already making confessional statements.