By Ayomide Joseph
The distressing wave of kidnappings has extended to the southwest region of Nigeria, with the abduction of Mr. Philip Aivoji, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State.
The incident occurred around 6 pm on Thursday along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
Hakeem Amode, the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, confirmed the abduction and urgently appealed to security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure Aivoji’s release.
Amode revealed that Aivoji was returning from a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyo State, convened by Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke of Oyo and Osun States, respectively.
Expressing concern about the prevalent issue of kidnapping in the country, Amode emphasized the government’s need to address this menace decisively. The circumstances surrounding Aivoji’s abduction remain unclear, and efforts to determine his current whereabouts or establish communication with the abductors have yielded no results.
Amode urged the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, along with security agencies, to intensify efforts and ensure Aivoji’s safe return to his family and well-wishers. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts to eradicate this menace and called on the public to support initiatives aimed at putting an end to the threat posed to innocent lives.
This recent kidnapping is part of a broader surge in kidnapping incidents across the country. Initially concentrated in the North-West, these abductions have now spread to other regions, including Lagos, Ogun, Delta states, and the Federal Capital Territory. Last week, the crisis escalated when bandits kidnapped 23 people in the Bwari area of the FCT.
In response to the escalating security challenges, the Federal Government issued a warning against raising funds for ransoms. South-South governors, meeting in Benin, Edo State, urged the Federal Government to enhance security management in the country. They pledged to engage the government on critical issues such as infrastructure development, road and rail projects, and the decentralization and rehabilitation of seaports in the region.
Additionally, the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria called on President Bola Tinubu to deploy all available resources against those fueling insecurity nationwide. The National Association of Nigerian Students went a step further, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency on the country’s security situation.
