Security
Afenifere Raises Alarm Over Rising Terror Attacks, Says Kidnappers Demand Drugs, Virgins as Ransom
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has raised fresh concerns over the increasing wave of terrorism and kidnappings across the South-West, alleging that some criminal groups now demand drugs, alcohol and even virgins as ransom for abducted victims.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group condemned the escalating insecurity in the region and urged both federal and state governments to intensify efforts to restore safety.
Ajayi said the Yoruba people were deeply worried about the growing attacks on communities, churches, police stations and highways across several states in the region.
He cited incidents in Ondo State involving attacks on homes and worship centres, while communities in Kwara State were reportedly sacked by armed groups. He also highlighted the killing of farmers and attacks on travellers along the Igbeti–Kisi road in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.
According to the group, kidnappings in Ekiti State have also taken a disturbing turn, with victims allegedly killed while their corpses were held for ransom.
Ajayi described the demands made by some kidnappers as shocking, noting that abductors once demanded ₦1.5 million, Indian hemp, cocaine, a synthetic drug known as ICE, and cartons of canned beer for the release of a corpse in their custody.
He further claimed that the criminals also requested that virgins be brought in exchange for the release of four abducted men.
The Afenifere spokesman said homes, once regarded as safe spaces, are no longer secure, citing an incident in Akure, Ondo State, where a man was shot while trying to stop attackers from abducting his wife.
Ajayi also referenced other cases across the country, including the abduction of the father of a former deputy governor in Ebonyi State while on his way to church, and the kidnapping of a family of five in Erinmope-Ekiti.
He further noted reports of bandits allegedly moving from house to house in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja, robbing and abducting residents.
The statement added that similar attacks had been recorded in several states including Kwara State, Plateau State, Benue State, Borno State, Kebbi State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Katsina State and Kaduna State.
Ajayi emphasised that bandits are not invincible and called for a comprehensive strategy to dismantle their operations.
He urged authorities to track and prosecute sponsors of terrorism, block funding channels, cut off the supply of weapons and strengthen intelligence operations to flush criminals out of their hideouts.
The group also stressed the need to address corruption and sabotage within security agencies while ensuring adequate motivation for security personnel to effectively tackle the growing security threats.
Indonesia has confirmed that it has entered into an agreement with India to procure the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system as part of efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities.
The announcement was made on Monday by Indonesian Defence Ministry spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait, who said the acquisition forms part of Jakarta’s broader plan to modernise its military hardware, particularly in the maritime sector.
Although the total value of the agreement was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested the deal could be worth between $200 million and $350 million, following years of negotiations between the two countries.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia through BrahMos Aerospace, is regarded as one of the world’s fastest operational cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms.
Indonesia’s purchase would make it the second foreign buyer of the BrahMos system after the Philippines, which signed a deal with India in 2022 as New Delhi pushes to expand its defence exports.
Defence analysts say the acquisition could significantly enhance Indonesia’s coastal defence and maritime strike capabilities, particularly given the country’s vast archipelagic territory and growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
The deal also marks a strengthening of defence cooperation between India and Southeast Asian nations, as regional governments increasingly invest in advanced missile systems to deter potential threats and safeguard strategic waterways.
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation HADIN KAI have thwarted multiple coordinated attacks launched by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on several military positions across the North-East.
The attacks occurred on the night of March 8 and the early hours of March 9, 2026, between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., targeting military locations in Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa, Mainok, and a troop harbour position within the Sambisa Forest.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the terrorists were said to have launched the assaults simultaneously from multiple directions in what appeared to be a coordinated attempt to overwhelm troop positions.
Despite the intensity of the attacks and the heavy firepower deployed by the insurgents, troops held their ground and mounted strong defensive responses across the affected locations. Reinforcements and the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI were also deployed, providing timely support during the engagements.
According to the statement, the attackers were eventually forced to withdraw after encountering overwhelming resistance from the troops, leaving behind several casualties.
Troops also recovered weapons and equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, including two PKT machine guns, six AK-47 rifles, eight rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, four mortar bombs, and assorted ammunition of various calibres.
Military authorities disclosed that the intensity of the firefights led to temporary breaches in sections of the defensive perimeters at Goniri and Kukawa. Some structures within the bases as well as a number of vehicles were also damaged during the clashes.
However, the military confirmed that all the affected locations remain firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops.
The statement added that ground forces, supported by the Air Component, have commenced follow-up exploitation operations in the affected areas. Cordon and search operations are also ongoing in neighbouring communities following reports that some wounded terrorists may have sought refuge there.
The military also confirmed that the engagements resulted in the loss of some soldiers, including an officer in Kukawa who was described as outstanding.
The statement noted that the fallen personnel paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation and the protection of innocent citizens.
Operation HADIN KAI assured that its troops remain vigilant, motivated, and committed to sustaining relentless operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action and ensuring lasting security across the North-East region.
Security operatives have rescued at least 19 people abducted by suspected kidnappers in communities within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
The operation was carried out by troops of the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working alongside officers of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, after receiving intelligence on the location of the kidnappers.
According to military authorities, the security team traced the suspected criminals to a hideout around Gidan Dogo, where they engaged the kidnappers in a firefight.
During the operation, one suspected bandit was killed, while others fled the scene with gunshot wounds. Security forces subsequently combed the area and recovered one AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated firearm believed to have been used by the kidnappers.
“All the kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety,” a statement from the Guards Brigade said.
The victims were abducted earlier during attacks on communities around the Byazhin axis of Bwari, an area that has recently experienced a rise in kidnapping incidents targeting residents.
Authorities said the rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention and support, while troops have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further criminal activities.
The Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier-General Adebisi Onasanya, commended the troops and collaborated security agencies for their professionalism and bravery during the rescue mission.
He also assured residents that security forces remain committed to protecting the Federal Capital Territory and eliminating kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the region.
Security operatives added that further operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the kidnapping network operating around the Abuja suburbs.