By Ayodele Oni
Anxiety has enveloped communities in Ekiti state over insecurity occasioned by the increasing wave of kidnapping and killing of travellers along the highways.
Investigations accros the state revealed that travellers along major highways are no longer safe as suspected herdsmen turned kidnappers now lay siege on the roads.
It has become a daily occurrence along some roads such as Ikere/Ise/Emure, Ado/Ijan/ Agbado and others for travellers to fall victims of kidnapping and robbery.
The deployment of men of Amotekun security outfit to the local government areas did not help matters, as kidnappers strike at will and abduct their victims to unknown locations.
It was gathered that despite the visit of the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) to state Commands to boost the morale of officers after the endSARS protest, they are yet to return to highways.
During the protest, policemen were brutalized, with several stations set on fire including the two stations in Ikere Ekiti.
Residents of communities are now at the mercy of vigilantes, some of whom were hired and being paid by the people through monthly levy to secure them.
The Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo called for deployment of more security personnel, especially along Ikere/Emure highway during the yuletide to curb increasing wave of kidnapping.
Oba Adebayo, a retired Commissioner of Police, said communities in the area will be playing host to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, during the period and hence the need for security beef up.
In the interim, many people have resolved not to travel during the yuletide to avoid falling victims of kidnapping, following insecurity along the highways.
