Ondo residents block highway, protest over rampant kidnappings, killings

Residents of Ilu Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, on Saturday took to the street and barricaded the busy Owo/Benin highway to protest what they described as unrelenting kidnappings and rising insecurity in the area.

Recently, there have been series of abductions and kidnapping in many parts of the state.

There was a late-night attack by suspected gunmen on Olaribigba Estate on Friday.
The victims – identified as a butcher, Jamiu Olawale, and his wife – were reportedly returning home from their shop in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry when the assailants struck.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers also shot a neighbour, Patrick Ilumaro, who was seated in front of his residence at the time of the incident.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Confirming the attack, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi said investigations had commenced while efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

Angered by the latest abduction, the aggrieved residents trooped out early Saturday and blocked the highway, grounding vehicular movement for several hours.

Motorists and travellers were stranded as protesters insisted the road would remain closed until authorities take decisive steps to secure the community.

One of the protesters, Adekunle Adeleye, lamented that kidnapping had become almost routine in the area.

Adeleye said: “We can no longer tolerate this. Kidnapping now happens almost daily. It is troubling and disheartening. People cannot sleep with both eyes closed anymore

“In the past few weeks, no fewer than 10 persons have been abducted in Akure North alone. We pay taxes. It is the government’s responsibility to protect us.”

He added that many residents have resorted to self-help security measures but said such efforts were insufficient without government intervention.

Meanwhile, a source who spoke with The Nation disclosed that the abductors had contacted the victims’ families and were demanding an N80 million ransom.

According to the source, the kidnappers asked for N40 million each for the husband and wife.

“The gunmen are demanding N40 million each before they will release them,” the source said.

The demonstrators appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently visit the community and strengthen security presence in the area.

They warned that persistent insecurity could cripple farming and commercial activities, which form the backbone of the local economy.

The latest incident comes barely two days after suspected gunmen reportedly stormed the Agamo community and killed a traditional ruler, Oba Kehinde Falodun, during a failed kidnap attempt, the incident further heightened fears among residents.

Governor Aiyedatiwa condemned the killings and asked security operatives to go after the perpetrators.