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Residents of Ifua-Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State staged a protest to demand an end to alleged killings and abductions in the community on Wednesday.
Umoru Kamoru, the Youth President of Akoko South-East Local Government, who joined the protest, decried the recent wave of violence plaguing the agrarian community.
According to the youth leader, the violence has crippled businesses in the community and triggered fear among residents.
“We are tired of the kidnapping and killing of our people. Those in authority have failed to protect us. Our farmers, even the women, can no longer go to their farms without fear. Some of us cannot even sleep with both eyes closed because of the fear of being attacked,” Kamoru lamented.
The Youth President of Isua-Akoko Local Government Area, Abimbola Oluwafemi, who was also present, told NAN that the recent killing of a youth leader in the community, who was allegedly murdered after ransom had been paid to secure his release, triggered the protest.
The residents appealed to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to deploy security operatives to protect lives and property in the affected communities.
Ondo State Police Command Spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh, who was present at the scene of the protest, said a full-scale investigation had commenced to apprehend those responsible for the attack and other related crimes in the area.
He added that the Ondo State Commissioner of Police has ordered the prompt deployment of additional tactical and intelligence assets to the affected communities.
Six church worshippers were kidnapped from the Celestial Church located along the Uso/Owo Expressway in the Owo Local Government Area of the state in February.
The Ondo State Police Command urges religious leaders to suspend religious gatherings at night following their abduction.
