Ondo Residents Protest Rising Kidnappings, Block Major Roads

Residents of Imafon, Igushi, and Ilado in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have taken to the streets in protest against the rising cases of kidnapping in their communities.

The aggrieved protesters barricaded major roads leading to the Governor’s Office and other key areas, expressing their frustration over the worsening security situation.

Carrying leaves as a symbol of distress, the demonstrators called on the state government to urgently address the menace and restore safety in the affected communities.

The protest follows a recent wave of violent incidents in the area. A mother and her daughter were reportedly killed on Wednesday, while two other persons were abducted.

Residents also alleged that another victim sustained machete cuts on Friday while attempting to resist being kidnapped.

One of the protesters, who identified himself as Kunle, lamented that gunmen had been wreaking havoc in the communities by killing and kidnapping without being checked.

He said, “We are protesting due to the incessant killings and kidnappings day in and day out at Imafon, Igushin and Ilado. A mother and daughter were killed two days ago, and another guy was brutally macheted yesterday (Friday).

“We want the government to rise up to its duties. We have not seen the impact of the monthly security votes in the state.

“We are tired of burying our people every week while those paid to protect us do nothing. These gunmen move freely about in the state capital and yet, our leaders remain silent. We see no presence of security, no patrols in our area,” he said.

Another protester, Sunday John, called on the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the state security agencies to come to their aid in the affected communities, lamenting that incidents of kidnapping were occurring in the area on a daily basis. She added that some of the residents of the communities were already relocating from the area.

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“This is getting too much, the governor, police and Amotekun should please come to our aid. We now live in fear; people are even afraid to move about in the evening in the area. For the past one week, it has been one kidnapping or the other.”

When contacted on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

The PPRO said, “The Ondo State Police Command strongly condemns the heinous violent incident at Igushin via Ala, Akure, which led to the tragic loss of two innocent lives. While two victims were successfully rescued through a swift and coordinated operation, the Command expresses deep sorrow over the unfortunate deaths recorded.

“The Command assures the people that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure the security of lives and property while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators, and the Command also assures the public that those responsible will be brought to justice.”