The group described the development as another tragic example of how human lives have become worthless under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
A Yoruba socio-political group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of deliberately denying and covering up the abduction of 166 worshippers by terrorists in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The group described the development as another tragic example of how human lives have become worthless under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
The Union alleged that beyond denying the mass abduction, the Nigerian government and security agencies have also threatened families of the victims to remain silent, warning them not to speak out so that the international community, particularly the United States government, would not become aware of the latest large-scale kidnapping incident.
According to the group, the situation reflects a dangerous pattern in which insecurity is downplayed while victims and their families are intimidated into silence, even as terrorists continue to operate freely across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by its Convener, Olusola Badero, and released by the Union’s Home Director, Princess Balogun, the Yoruba Union said Nigeria has reached a point where kidnapping has become a daily occurrence, with terrorists turning it into a full-scale and well-organised business.
The group lamented that armed groups now abduct Nigerians at will, demand huge ransoms openly, and move around without fear of arrest, while kidnapped victims are neither rescued nor their abductors apprehended.
“While vulnerable Nigerians are left in the hands of these marauders, President Tinubu and his family continue to enjoy full state security, funded by taxpayers’ money,” the statement said.
“Yet the same government has failed to uphold the oath sworn by the President to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.”
The Union further accused the government of losing control of large parts of the country, noting that terrorists have escalated their operations to the point of invading churches and mosques to abduct worshippers during religious gatherings.
“Terrorists have now resorted to moving into churches and mosques to kidnap worshippers, while the government of the day threatens people to keep silent over insecurity,” the statement added.
It warned that many communities across Nigeria are no longer safe, stressing that entire villages have been deserted due to repeated attacks and abductions.
“Our people’s lives are no longer safe. Some communities in Kogi and Kwara States are now deserted, just as it is in parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Kaduna and Borno States. Terrorists have taken over most of these communities,” the group said.
The Union also decried the growing humanitarian crisis created by ransom payments, explaining that families of abducted victims are often forced to sell all their properties, borrow money, or beg for assistance both offline and on social media just to secure the release of their loved ones.
“Ransoms are being paid, while families of kidnapped victims are forced to sell everything they own and beg online to raise money for their release. Yet the government still fails to arrest these criminals,” the statement noted.
Calling for urgent action, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá demanded that the Tinubu-led government immediately rescue the 166 abducted worshippers in Kajuru, as well as all other kidnapped Nigerians across the country.
The Union mentioned the recent abduction of a monarch in Kwara State and two traditional chiefs abducted in Kogi State, urging security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to secure their release.
“Nigeria is not a banana republic. Human lives should be sacred,” they said. “For decades, successive Nigerian governments have failed to respect and protect the lives of their citizens.”
The group further criticised what it described as the Federal Government’s misplaced priorities, accusing authorities of being more interested in arresting and detaining critics than confronting terrorists who openly boast of their crimes.
“The Nigerian government is only passionate about arresting and detaining critics, but it has failed in its responsibility to arrest terrorists,” the Union said.
“These criminals even have the audacity to come on social media to display their activities, yet the so-called intelligence agencies fail to track and apprehend them.”
It also condemned the use of state resources to pursue critics of the government, citing the prosecution of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore over alleged online criticism of President Tinubu, while terrorists roam free.
“Taxpayers’ money is being wasted on frivolities, including suing people like Omoyele Sowore for allegedly abusing President Tinubu on social media, instead of investing those resources in securing lives and communities,” Yoruba Union added.
The Union vowed that it would not be intimidated into silence, insisting that it remains committed to speaking out against insecurity and demanding accountability from those in power.
“We will not rest or be cowed by anyone,” the group declared. “Our mandate is to secure a state in the South-West and to continue to stand for the protection of lives and safety of Nigerians all over the country.”