By Dapo Akinrefon

BEFORE now, the perception that kidnapping is more prevalent in the South East and South South geo-political zones, was perhaps not in doubt.
But there seems to be a paradigm shift as the trend is tilting towards the South West than any other region in Nigeria.
Kidnapping in the region, prior to now, was alien.

But this worrisome trend has been attributed to factors which include, among others, unemployment and poverty.
Aside this, the kidnappers usually use the large forests in the region to perpetuate their nefarious acts.

These forests, found in states like Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo, are mostly used as the den for these kidnappers.
Besides the use of these forests, those who engage in the act of kidnapping have been reported to come from outside the south west zone.
With the act perceived to be gaining momentum in the region, the security agencies seem to be hapless in curbing the menace.

Also, the act is taking its toll on economic activities in the zone as it is instilling fear in peoples’ minds.
Perhaps this informed the step taken by Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State to seek the assistance of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase to come to his rescue and end the reign of kidnappers in the state.

According to Fayose, the increasing wave of crime in the state has gone beyond the capacity of the state government.
Fayose, who paid a visit to the IG at the Force Headquarters, lamented that the State Police Command was also powerless to stem the crime situation in the state.

The governor said the citizens were now afraid to come out to pursue their economic activities for fear that they might be the next victims of kidnappers whom, he said, had abducted two people within three weeks.

Analysts posit that if stringent steps are not taken to checkmate the act, it might have adverse effect on the social, economic and political activities in the region.

A chronicle of the kidnapping activities shows the effect of the worrisome trend.
Family members and loved ones have had to bear the brunt of the act.
Some have had to part with huge sums of money to secure the release of their loved ones.

In Ekiti State, 10 persons, including an 11-year-old boy kidnapped in Ekiti, were released by their captors.
The freed captives include Folasade Alade, Femi Omisore, Kikielomo Adegun and a nurse, Margret Aladeneka.

The victims, who were kidnapped at different locations within the state, included two lecturers at the Ekiti State University. A family member of one of the victims, Nike Aina, said the victims were released after their families had paid ransom which was undisclosed.

She said they were dropped along a bush path in Esure area of the state.

Regent, three others kidnapped in Ondo
On June 3 2015, the sleepy university town of Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo state was thrown into confusion, as the Regent of the town, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon and two of her palace aides were kidnapped by unknown gunmen. 

The situation caused pandemonium and grounded all commercial activities in the community, following protest by residents over the abduction of the regent.

The people made bonfires in some parts of the town and closed down all shops, markets and motor parks in the ancient town.
Omosowon, who is the third Regent of the town, was reportedly waylaid and abducted at the Oba axis of the Owo-Ikare road in a car belonging to Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko by some hoodlums on her way to the town from official engagement

Interestingly, a combined team of security operatives stormed the hideout of the kidnappers and rescued her and four others, two weeks after she was abducted.

Two of their abductors were arrested while their leader nicknamed “Federal” was shot dead when he attempted to wrestle a gun from the security operative after his arrest at their hideout.

OAU lecturer kidnapped, driver killed in Ekiti
A lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Dr. Femi Omisore was equally kidnapped by unidentified persons in Ekiti State.
The lecturer, who works at the Department of Environmental Design Management of OAU was kidnapped at Ado-Ekiti, while on his way to Oye-Ekiti.
The kidnappers were also said to have killed Dr Omisore’s driver and burnt his vehicle to ashes.

Kidnapped priest regains freedom in Ekiti
Also, in Ekiti State, a Catholic priest, who was kidnapped by gunmen in Ekiti state early June 2015, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade was released by his abductors.

Confirming the report, the Bishop of the Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, said no ransom was paid for the release of the clergyman.
The cleric, however, said that the kidnappers demanded N200 million for his ransom which was declined by the church.

New den of kidnappers, fraudsters discovered in Ibadan
In Isase in Ojoku community in Ona Ara Local Council, Ibadan, Oyo State, a den of suspected kidnappers and fraudsters was discovered.
Fake dollar notes and three exotic cars were Wednesday, recovered by the police from the shrine. The shrine comprised two buildings, decorated with a lot of figurines of different idols, assorted charms, cowries, snail shells, mats and underground apartments.

Efforts by security agencies

Though, security agencies have been in the forefront of combating this menace, observers opine that concerted efforts must be deployed to nip this crisis in the bud.

If not curtailed, the South-West might yet be the new hub of kidnapping.