Angry residents in parts of Ondo and Oyo states staged protests over rising insecurity, blocking major highways after gunmen killed two people and abducted others near Akure Airport while kidnappers demanded N100 million ransom for a local government official.
Angry residents of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday blocked the Akure–Owo highway with the corpses of two persons allegedly killed by gunmen, protesting persistent attacks and kidnappings in their communities. The protest came barely 24 hours after the abduction of Joseph Aladesuyi, secretary of the Okeluju Local Council Development Area under Akoko North West Local Government Area. Aladesuyi and two others were reportedly abducted on his farm in Ilu-Abo community near the Akure Airport, with the kidnappers said to be demanding N100 million for his release.
Residents of Ilu-Abo, Kajola and Owode communities barricaded the highway after another attack on Tuesday morning, during which gunmen allegedly killed two people and abducted three others. The protesters said they would not leave the road until Lucky Aiyedatiwa visited the area to address their security concerns. Demonstrators displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as “We Are Dying, Save Our Soul,” “Mr Governor, Please Assist Us,” “Our Children Are in Danger,” and “We Cannot Go to Farms Again,” while chanting songs and demanding urgent intervention.
A mild drama occurred when the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, visited the community but was turned back by the protesters, who ignored his appeal to allow free flow of traffic on the highway. The police chief assured residents that security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and the police, would intensify efforts to protect lives and property. Meanwhile, in Oyo State, youths in Jobele community of Afijio Local Government Area also staged a protest over alleged cases of kidnapping and banditry, blocking the Ibadan–Oyo road and disrupting movement along the route.
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