The Pan Yoruba Socio-political group, Afenifere, has carpeted Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo over his claim that the insecurity in Nigeria, particularly kidnapping and banditry were being exaggerated by social media.

In a communique issued after its General Assembly on Tuesday at the Akure home of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the group carpeted Osinbajo over the comment made on Sunday while addressing some Nigerians in New York.

The communique signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Yinka Odumakin also frowned at the comments by the Vice President whom they claimed, shames the Yoruba people with his very cheap politicking with the lives of Nigerians.

The group said the growing insecurity in the country is an indication of a failed state, particularly with the recent security alerts issued by the United Kingdom and United States of America to their citizens over security threats in most parts of the country.

While stating that the development calls for concern, the group stressed that the traumatization of Yoruba people by Fulani herdsmen all across the six states in the zone does not reflect truthfulness on the part of the Vice President. 

The communiqué read in part: “All the reports provided clear indications of failure of state as the security forces have largely been incapable or unwilling to safeguard the lives of our people against these criminals as we are not aware of any of them that has been arrested or is under trial at the moment just as all the Federal Government has done so far is to make excuses for the Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah groups that have been accused of so many crimes against the people of Nigeria.

“It is against this backdrop that the meeting was scandalized by the opportunistic and provocative utterances of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in NewYork on Sunday dismissing the danger we are faced with in Yorubaland as well as by other zones in Nigeria as being ‘politically motivated’.

“As if he is unaware that we are in a digital world, which explains why America and Britain have issued travel directives to their citizens not travel to more than 2/3 of Nigeria, the VP without much thought for his integrity stated: “With respect to general kidnapping which we have seen in parts of the country ,again, this is not entirely new. In fact, some of the kidnapping stories you read or listen to are simply not true anywhere, some are fueled by politics.

“Is the report of the kidnap of a District Head from President Buhari’s town from May 1 till date politically motivated? And was the President speaking of another country when he handed kidnappers on rampage to God?

“Was former Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole playing politics when it was announced that his son was kidnapped?

“What politics was afoot when the Ondo State Governor recently announced that his convoy was waylaid by kidnappers?

“If he cannot answer these questions, he should kneel before his God and ask for forgiveness for violating “Thou shall not lie” commandment.

“We further admonish him not to allow whatever ambition and political interest he serves to push him to make such infuriating comments as the number 2 man in the country again.”