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Residents of Imafon, Igushin and Ilado communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday staged a protest in Akure, the state capital, over rising insecurity in their areas.
The demonstrators blocked the busy ShopRite junction near the governor’s office, chanting solidarity songs and waving leaves, as the demonstration caused heavy traffic across major roads for several hours.
A resident, Kunle, said the protest was triggered by repeated attacks by gunmen, noting that killings and kidnappings had become frequent in the affected communities.
He said residents were being killed and abducted regularly, citing the recent killing of a mother and her daughter, as well as another victim who was attacked with machetes a day earlier.
He added that the community had lost confidence in the authorities, questioning the impact of security spending and lamenting the lack of visible patrols or protection in the area.
“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 demonstrator, Sunday John, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies, including the police and Amotekun corps, to intervene urgently, adding that residents now live in constant fear, with kidnappings occurring almost daily, forcing some people to abandon their homes.
“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.”
The protest follows a recent attack in which a woman and her daughter were killed at a poultry farm in the Egushi area, while two others were abducted but later rescued by police operatives. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said the command condemned the attack and confirmed that efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
He said the police were working to strengthen security across affected areas and assured residents that those behind the attacks would be brought to justice.
“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.”
