Gunmen Storm Ondo Community, Kill One, Abduct Three

By Ayodele Oni

Coming barely 24 hours after a Local Government Scribe was abducted, another three persons were kidnapped with one other shot dead along Akure Ilu- Abo in Akure North area of the state on Tuesday.

The incident has caused tension in parts of Akure, the Ondo State capital, as angry residents barricaded the Akure-Owo Airport Road at Ilu-Abo, preventing free movement of vehicles.

Eyewitnesses said the latest incident occurred late Monday night when armed men attacked residents around Ilu-Abo axis, shooting sporadically before whisking away three persons.

A resident, who spoke with journalists during the protest, said one person was shot during the attack and later died, while others were taken away by the gunmen.

The protesters accused the government of showing insensitivity to the security challenges facing communities around the airport, Ilu-Abo, Kajola and neighbouring villages.

“We are tired of this situation. Almost every day now we hear about kidnapping around the airport road.

“Yesterday a council secretary was kidnapped, today again one person has been killed and three taken away. Government is not doing anything to protect us,” the resident lamented.

In a video circulating on social media and posted by popular blogger Oluwaseun Ogunmola Popularly known as Ogbeni OB Sugar on Tuesday morning, some residents were seen carrying the lifeless body of the victim, while others blocked the expressway with logs, tyres and burning objects, leaving many commuters stranded.

Another resident who identified himself simply as Tunde said the people decided to block the road to draw attention to their plight.

“We cannot continue like this. Kidnappers operate freely here and nobody is safe again. We have reported several times but nothing has changed. That is why we blocked the road so the government will hear us,” he said.

The protesting residents insisted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa address them to assuage their concerns, as they could no longer go to the farms due to insecurity.

Despite the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Lawal who persuaded the residents to allow free flow of traffic, the protesting residents insisted that they would not vacate the road as their lives are in danger every time.

Lawal pleaded with the residents that the security agencies including the State Security Network codenamed Amotekun, and the Police would ensure the safety of lives and properties and would beef up security in the communities.

The police boss also visited the monarch of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, and told him the efforts being made by security agencies to curb insecurity in the town. He said he would deploy additional policemen and tactical units to check the insecurity.

Motorists travelling along the busy Akure-Owo expressway were forced to stop for several hours as the protest caused heavy traffic on the route.

The latest attack is coming amid growing concern over repeated kidnap incidents in ondo state especially around Akure Airport and surrounding communities, a development residents say has made farming and daily activities difficult.