Residents of Ilu-Abo and neighbouring communities in Akure North LGA of Ondo state, on Tuesday barricaded the Akure-Owo expressway, in protest against rising cases of kidnapping in the area.
The protesters placed the remains of a kidnap victim on the
highway as they chanted solidarity songs, a development that worsened gridlock
on a road that connects the south of the country to the north.
The residents, mostly youths, said they would not allow
vehicular movement on the road until the government addresses the security
challenges afflicting communities in the LGA.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘We Are Dying,
Save Our Soul’, ‘Mr Governor, Please Assist Us’, and ‘We Cannot Go to Farms
Again’, they said incessant kidnappings have made it unsafe for them to farm or
sleep peacefully.
They also demanded that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo,
address them over the security situation in the area.
Adebowale Lawal, commissioner of police in Ondo, visited the
scene and appealed to the residents to allow vehicular movement.
Lawal assured that security agencies, including the Amotekun
Corps, would intensify efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property in
the affected communities.
The police commissioner also visited Olu Falae and a monarch
of the community, explaining the steps being taken by security agencies to curb
the spate of attacks.
Lawal said additional police officers and tactical teams
would be deployed in the area.
On Monday, suspected gunmen reportedly abducted a council
secretary and two other persons in the Ilu-Abo community, Akure north LGA.
Witnesses said the attackers, numbering 10, ambushed the
victims and fired gunshots to scare residents before whisking them away.
One of the victims was identified as Joseph Aladesuyi,
secretary of Okeluju LCDA, in Akoko north-west LGA.
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