Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, (Managing Editor) investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has raised serious concerns over the evolving tactics of armed groups operating across Nigeria, warning that terrorists and bandits are increasingly demanding unusual and disturbing forms of ransom—including illicit drugs and young women described as virgins. In a statement released by the group’s leadership, Afenifere condemned what it described as a worsening national security crisis, noting that criminal groups responsible for kidnappings and violent attacks have begun making unconventional ransom demands such as cocaine, Indian hemp (cannabis), and young women. According to the organization, these demands reflect both the deepening lawlessness in parts of the country and the growing audacity of criminal networks exploiting weak enforcement structures and vulnerable communities. Growing concern over kidnapping economy kidnapping for ransom has become one of the most persistent security threats in several regions of Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South. Armed groups often abduct travelers, villagers, students, and farmers, demanding large sums of money from families and communities. Afenifere said recent reports indicating demands for narcotics and young women demonstrate the changing nature of ransom negotiations and the broader criminal ecosystem surrounding terrorism and banditry. The group warned that such developments risk further entrenching organized crime and human trafficking, while also exposing vulnerable communities—especially women and girls—to greater danger. Call for stronger government response Afenifere urged the Nigerian government and security agencies to intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks, arguing that the country’s current security architecture must be strengthened to confront the growing complexity of these threats. The group also called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies, and greater community engagement to disrupt criminal supply chains that enable armed groups to operate. Security analysts have long warned that banditry and insurgency in Nigeria have gradually evolved into complex criminal enterprises, combining kidnapping, arms trafficking, drug networks, and cross-border smuggling. Wider implications for national stability experts say that if left unchecked, the emergence of unconventional ransom demands could deepen the humanitarian crisis in affected regions and complicate efforts to negotiate the release of victims. Civil society groups have also urged authorities to address underlying drivers of insecurity, including poverty, weak local governance, porous borders, and limited access to justice in rural communities. Afenifere emphasized that restoring security remains critical not only for protecting lives but also for safeguarding economic activity, agriculture, education, and national stability. The organization reiterated its call for urgent and coordinated action to ensure that criminal groups do not continue to expand their influence across the country. Sources: Punch Newspapers; Vanguard Nigeria; Premium Times Nigeria; Channels Television; Daily Trust.
Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.
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