Olu Samuel
The President of the Bunu development Association, Pastor Kolawole Johnson Folorunsho has said that no fewer than sixty members of his Bunu community are still in captivity following the heightened wave of kidnapping activities that swept through the community in recent times.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he said Bunuland, a peaceful agrarian region in central Nigeria, is currently facing a grave and
escalating security and humanitarian crisis.
According to him, “What began as sporadic attacks has now evolved into sustained violence marked by killings, kidnappings, terror raids, and forced
displacement of innocent civilians. As at the last count ,no fewer than sixty members of our community are still in captivity ‘
His words, “Our farmers are being attacked on their farmlands.
Travelers are abducted on public roads.
Women, children, and the elderly are fleeing ancestral homes in fear.
Entire villages are gradually emptying.
This is no longer a local problem.
it is a humanitarian emergency and a threat to community survival.
“Despite efforts by government authorities, the scale, frequency, and persistence of these attacks
indicate that current responses remain insufficient. Many communities feel increasingly vulnerable and exposed, and public confidence continues to erode.
When people lose security, they lose everything:their dignity,their livelihoods,their culture,and their future.
“As a community, we have resolved to respond lawfully, responsibly, and collectively. The Bunu Development Association is therefore advocating a coordinated, community-based
security support framework, working strictly within existing government-approved vigilante and security structures.
“This initiative—known as the Bunu Youths Vanguard—is designed to
support intelligence gathering, early warning systems, and community vigilance, under professional supervision and full accountability.
This is not a call to lawlessness.
It is a call for structured community protection, aligned with the rule of law
“We are also appealing for: Strengthened and permanent security presence in high-risk areas, Improved intelligence-led operations, Humanitarian support for displaced families, Medical and welfare assistance for community defenders
Transparent documentation and investigation of all attacks.
He therefore called for unity within Bunuland and between communities and government institutions warning that division only emboldens violence.
The community also seek the attention and support of the National and international community
to amplify their voices,
encourage accountability and timely action to support peace-building, humanitarian relief, and community resilience initiatives adding that history will not only judge them by their silence, but by their response.
“We remain hopeful that with decisive action, collaboration, and global attention, Bunuland can
once again become a place where people live, farm, and raise families without fear”.