The Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and the 36 state governors to address the alarming rate at which youths are turning to crimes as a new way of life.
According to the group, the country is witnessing increased incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping, drug abuse, and ritual killings for pecuniary reasons, which has become a cause for worry.
Dr. Akindutire Durojaiye, President of the US chapter of Afenifere, stressed that the group would not fold its hands and watch some undesirable elements in the society, in pursuit of an ostentatious lifestyle, mislead youths to self-destruct.
“We believe if the Southwest becomes uncomfortable for these criminals, other state governors would follow suit and subsequently paralyze their nefarious activities across the states and possibly run them out of the country for good,” Durojaiye said.
Afenifere attributed the rising crime rate to the economic downturn of the country and the broken value system.
The group called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the problem before it degenerates or becomes the new normal.
The group also appealed to religious leaders to use their sermons and messages to encourage parents to return to teaching their children and wards family values, including morals, integrity, moderation, hard work, and contentment.
As the Christmas festivities and New Year celebrations approach, Afenifere called on the southwest state governors to liaise with the federal government to deploy the state security architecture during this period and after.
The group commended the Federal Government’s ban on spraying money in public, describing it as a welcome development and a right step in the right direction.
However, Afenifere appealed to the police to beef up security in society for safe travel, commuting, and gathering.
Afenifere also called on the National Orientation Agency of Nigeria to organize a series of awareness campaigns against drug abuse, ritual killings, and get-rich-quick schemes to discourage the perpetrators or potential criminals.
