Insecurity: Motorists stranded as residents protest, block Ondo highway

Some residents of Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday blocked the Akure-Owo expressway over incessant killings and kidnappings in the area.

The protesters, who appealed to the government to help them tackle the insecurity that is ravaging the area, said one of the residents was killed in his farm by gunmen on Tuesday morning.

Residents, mostly youths, prevented the free flow of traffic, leaving motorists stranded on the expressway.

The protesters were carrying placards with various 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”, among others.

One of the residents, Joseph Ade, told newsmen that they could not go to their farms due to the incessant kidnappings and killings in the area.

“We will not leave here unless Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa come to address us because we can no longer go to our farms due to insecurity,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, appealed to them to allow free vehicular movement, but was rebuffed.

Lawal assured the residents that the security agencies including the Amotekun Corps and the police would ensure the safety of lives and property.

Gunmen kidnap Ondo LG secretary, one other

The police commissioner, who promised to deploy additional policemen and tactical units to check insecurity, assured that police operatives with other security agencies would beef up security in the affected communities.

Lawal also visited the traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, and told him the efforts being made by security agencies to curb insecurity in the area.

Gunmen recently kidnapped a woman, and a couple at Ilu-Abo, while a businessman was shot which resulted in his death.

On Monday, the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area under Akoko North-West Local Council Area of Ondo State, Joseph Aladesuyi, was kidnapped alongside two others in his farm at Ilu-Abo by gunmen.

The Star