48hrs to pay N100m ransom: Kidnappers vow to kill Afenifere Youth Leader

The National President of the Afenifere National Youth Council, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.

In a distressing recorded conversation exclusively published by online news website Sahara Reporters, Prince Ojajuni appealed for help, as his kidnappers threaten to kill him within 48 hours if a ransom of N100 million is not paid.

The kidnappers shot Prince Ojajuni in the buttocks and are demanding cash payment.

The family is pleading for help, and a bank account has been made public for donations. Prince Ojajuni’s wife, Omolara Ojajuni, has also made an emotional appeal for help.

According to reports, Prince Ojajuni was kidnapped on February 17, 2025, while traveling between Ondo and Kabba.

The kidnappers claim that someone paid them N50 million to abduct and kill Prince Ojajuni, and they threaten to harm him further if the ransom is not paid.

The family is urging Nigerians to contribute any amount to help raise the ransom and save Prince Ojajuni’s life.

The development occurs barely weeks after Afenifere leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo passed away.

He was 96 years old when he died peacefully at his Lekki residence in Lagos State on February 14, 2025.

Pa Adebanjo was a renowned political leader, activist, and advocate for democracy, justice, and good governance.

He played a significant role in Nigeria’s democratic journey, from his involvement in the Action Group to his leadership in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the military era.

About Afenifere

Afenifere is a pan-Yoruba socio-political organization that represents the interests of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

The organization was founded in 1993 as a response to the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was won by Chief Moshood Abiola, a Yoruba man.

Afenifere promotes the cultural, social, and economic interests of the Yoruba people, advocates for good governance, democracy, and human rights in Nigeria, and fosters unity and cooperation among Yoruba people and other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The organization has been actively involved in Nigerian politics, particularly in the southwestern region, where the Yoruba people are predominantly located.

Afenifere has also been a vocal advocate for restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria.

Notable leaders associated with Afenifere include Chief Abraham Adesanya, Chief Bola Ige, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

Afenifere has also spawned other affiliated groups, such as the Afenifere Renewal Group and the Afenifere National Youth Council.

The Yorubas

The Yorubas are an ethnic group native to southwestern Nigeria and the Republic of Benin in West Africa.

They are one of the largest and most prominent ethnic groups in Nigeria, with a rich cultural heritage and a long history.

The Yorubas have a population of around 30 million people in Nigeria and several million more in the Republic of Benin and other parts of the world.

They are predominantly found in the southwestern states of Nigeria, including Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti.

The Yorubas have a distinct language, culture, and tradition.

Their language, also called Yoruba, is a member of the Niger-Congo language family and is spoken by millions of people around the world.

Yoruba culture is known for its rich traditions, customs, and festivals, such as the Osun Osogbo festival and the Eyo festival.

The Yorubas are also known for their strong tradition of monarchy and chieftaincy, with many kingdoms and empires throughout history, such as the Oyo Empire and the Ijebu Kingdom.

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