Police Dismiss Afenifere Youth Leader’s Allegation Linking Ondo Monarchs to Kidnappers

The Nigeria Police Force has refuted allegations made by Afenifere Youth leader, Eniola Ojajuni, accusing four traditional rulers in Ondo State of collaborating with kidnappers.

In a statement released by the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olushola, the police described Ojajuni’s claims as baseless and misleading.

Ojajuni, in March 2025, had warned of an alarming rise in kidnapping across the South-West, claiming the existence of at least 55 kidnapper camps in the region, with Ondo State hosting the highest number. He further alleged that he was abducted on February 17 while en route to Abuja, recounting harrowing details of his 12-day captivity in the hands of armed Fulani herdsmen allegedly disguised in military attire.

He described being shot twice, beaten repeatedly, and witnessing the abuse of fellow captives. According to him, the kidnappers operated with advanced technology and military-grade weapons, using the terrain to their advantage and evading security forces with ease.

Ojajuni recently escalated his claims by alleging that four traditional rulers from Ondo State’s Northern senatorial district—an area dominated by the Akoko people—were in cahoots with the criminal elements. The accusation, shared via a screenshot posted on the Facebook page of Ondo-based lawyer Tolu Babaleye, did not identify the monarchs by name.

However, in its rebuttal, the police command said there was no evidence to support Ojajuni’s claims of being kidnapped within Ondo State. It pointed to contradictions between his statements and those made by his wife and siblings, noting that he had failed to honor several invitations for an official interview with investigators.

“The circumstances surrounding his so-called abduction remain unclear and inconsistent with the known patterns of kidnapping activities within the state,” the police said.

They further highlighted that a video shared by Ojajuni during his alleged ordeal did not align with typical behaviors of kidnapping syndicates, stating that most known kidnappers neither possess smartphones nor circulate media content involving their victims.

The police urged the public to remain cautious and avoid jumping to conclusions based on unverified social media posts. They also called on anyone with credible information to approach the authorities directly, emphasizing that real justice can only be achieved through proper investigation and adherence to due process.

Residents of Ondo State were encouraged to continue supporting law enforcement agencies as they work to safeguard lives and property across the region.