By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Residents of Ilu-Abo, Kajola and Owode communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Tuesday, March 10, blocked the Akure/Owo Highway with victims’ corpses as they protested rising cases of kidnapping in the communities.
The protesters barricaded the road along the Akure Airport Road, protesting what they described as the insensitivity of authorities to the incessant abductions and killings of residents in the area, following a fresh kidnapping attack in which two persons were shot dead and three others abducted by gunmen early Tuesday morning.
They turned back the State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, when he visited the community.
According to the residents, Tuesday’s incident occurred less than 24 hours after three people were abducted from their farm to an unknown destination and have remained incommunicado with their relatives and families.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions and prevented the free flow of traffic, causing gridlock along the ever-busy expressway, and they insisted they would not allow vehicular movement on the road until the government addressed the insecurity affecting their communities.
According to a resident who spoke with journalists during the protest, incidents of kidnapping had become a recurring occurrence in the area. The resident also accused the government of failing to take decisive action to protect lives and property.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who visited the scene of the protest, pleaded with the residents to allow the free flow of traffic.
He assured them that security agencies, including the state security network, popularly known as Amotekun, and the police, would ensure the safety of lives and property and strengthen security in the communities.
The police commissioner also visited the monarch of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, and assured him that security agencies were making efforts to curb insecurity in the town.
Lawal added that additional police officers and tactical units would be deployed to address the situation in the communities.
