In the last few days and weeks, Ondo State has been in the news over spate of kidnappings and killings. HAKEEM GBADAMOSI writes on this reality as an existential threat to safety of lives, property and businesses in the state and how the state government and security agencies are attending to the situation.
A sharp surge in security concerns recently has come to limelight in Ondo State with killings and kidnappings permeating the state in the last couple of weeks. The ‘Sunshine state’ which was once a haven of peace has become a hotbed of fear following series of kidnapping and killings witnessed in recent time.
This new reality has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the minds of residents of Ondo communities, fueling widespread anxiety among residents and visitors alike.
Perpetrators, often operate with impunity, targeting individuals from all walks of life, the rich, the poor, abducting them for ransom.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the past few days have witnessed a disturbing surge in kidnapping incidents on the highways, farms and even in homes.
The kidnappings became rampant from November last year, leading to the killing of many people, either at the point of operation or in captivity. Many who failed to meet their ransom demands did not live to tell their stories, while those who could afford to pay the ransom are still living with the trauma
Incidents in Ondo
Recent incidents include the abduction of 10 travellers on the Benin/Owo highway at Ipele area of Owo local government area of the state. The travelers were said to be heading to Akure, the state capital from one of the South-South states.
The armed assailants subjected the victims to harrowing experiences, although some of the victims were later rescued by operatives of the Amotekun Corps, but their freedom came after paying ransom running into millions of naira.
About three weeks ago, three interns of the Federal College of Agriculture, working on a tomato farm were kidnapped in broad daylight, in a community very close to Akure Airport. The abductors demanded N300 million as ransom, while a farmer and a labourer were kidnapped in the same area when returning from their farm in another incident.
Apart from abduction, farmers in the state have been avoiding their farms for fear of being killed by bandits. In January, no fewer than five farmers who were working on their farms were shot dead by bandits parading as herdsmen at Ajegunle-Powerline community in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
Another case was that of a 75-year-old female victim, who was abducted in Ifira Akoko, Akoko Northeast local government. The septuagenarian, while narrating her ordeal, disclosed that she was ruthlessly raped by the bandits before the arrival of the team of the Amotekun, who rescued her and others in the captivity.
“I was on my way back from the farm that fateful sunny day after work, when I saw three men approaching me. As soon as they saw me, they grabbed my hands and dragged me into the bush.
“The next thing I knew was one of them forcefully removing my clothes and penetrating me. I don’t know how I ended up with Amotekun because I was confused. All I knew was that they came to rescue me after hearing my screaming.”
A 46-year-old health worker, Akinola Oyabiyi, in Eleyowo community, a stone thrown to Akure Airport, while returning home after the day’s work was shot dead by kidnappers while trying to resist being kidnapping. They also took his son away for 10 days and was only released after payment of ransom.
Few days later, some armed men invaded a farm in the same area, abducting a farm owner and his farm manager. The duo, Olanrewaju Oyeleye, 50, who just returned to the country to invest in farming business and his farm manager, were dragged into the forest. The abductors demanded N100 million as ransom.
Also four agrarian communities of Akure North Local Government Area were invaded by armed men suspected to be herdsmen at an unholy hour, killing the people in their sleep.
The four communities are Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor and Ademekun, where no fewer than 14 people were killed while several others escaped with injuries.
Again, nine surveyors were kidnapped in Ilu abo in the same Akure North local govenment area, while working in the area. Their abductors demanded N100 million. They spent over a week in captivity.
The abduction of these nine men ignited a protest. The protesters, who were mostly women, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take quick and decisive actions in checking activities of kidnappers, killer herdsmen and other criminals who have penetrated the various communities in the state.
The dust over the abduction of the surveyors had not settled when the gunmen struck again, abducting a business man, Tope Faaji, his wife and his daughter at the entrance of his home in Owo.
The man and his family were about entering into the house to break their fast when the gunmen attacked them and whisked them away, but his son, who was opening the gate escaped. They have regained freedom but not without paying a huge ransom.
Victims’ Accounts
A resident of Oba Ile community, Chief Olu Fagoroyo, said there was the need for Governor Aiyedatiwa to act fast to checkmate the upsurge of insecurity in the state, saying there was already panic in the towns and villages of the state.
He said, “I must tell you, we are living in fear in this community, because if people are being kidnapped around us here and up till now they had not been rescued, it is unfortunate. Our governor needs to do something to prevent these bandits from entering into the community. If care is not taken, we don’t know what they will do tomorrow. Our governor needs to act fast. It has been long this happened here. We don’t want to be experiencing it again.”
Another resident, Mrs Olayemi Egbeola, said she once escaped from kidnappers den along Benin-Owo-Akure expressway.
She said, “I appeal to the governor and other stakeholders on this security matter that they should not allow these bandits to stay in Ondo State. I was a victim, it is the grace of God that I escaped in 2019 when I was traveling along Benin-Owo-Akure road. I don’t pray that such should happen to anyone. We are begging Mr Governor to act fast.
“Those who have not experienced kidnapping cannot comprehend how traumatic and devastating it can be on the life of an individual. It will be hard for them to grasp or understand the gravity of being held hostage by kidnappers. Those who have gone through such an ordeal can relate and they know and understand that the gravity of being held hostage by kidnappers is a lifetime nightmare.”
A businessman, Linus Ogbonna, who said he was abducted last December in Ifon area of the state, while returning from Umahia, said his family did not bother to involve the police but simply paid the ransom.
He stated, “Most of these kidnap incidents are not reported. We didn’t bother to report the incident because that may even put your life at risk. My people did not believe the police would be able to rescue me. Instead of jeopardising my life, they thought it wise to pay the ransom and save my life. When there is life, there is hope and I can recover whatever that was given to the criminals.
“The kidnappers said they would know if we reported the matter to the police and they told my people that they would not see me again. I know it was not a mere threat because of what I witnessed while with them, so I pleaded with my family to comply with their ransom demand.”
From the police
In response to the increase in security threats, the state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, attributed the prevailing surge in criminality in the state to the unchecked and consistent migration of people into the state.
He said: “There are lot of people migrating, relocating to the Southern part of the country and they are coming in hundreds and thousands, and there is no directive coming from anywhere that this movement should be checked.
“So, there is no doubt about it that the rate at which people are migrating, relocating into Ondo state is further worsening the prevailing security challenges we have.”
Afolabi, however, disclosed that the command has been able to flush out a lot of criminal elements, particularly from Owo and Akoko in the last two months with the help of modern technologies.
“So, what I had to do was to get a private tracker. And when the guy came, he was deployed along with almost six tactical teams. In the process, at least we had close to 10 confirmed suspected kidnappers that were arrested and they are in our custody presently,” the CP said.
Speaking on the challenges of the command in carrying out their duties in terms of patrol vehicles and other logistics needed for smooth operations, Afolabi noted that if the command is equipped with hi-tech devices including drones, trackers and other devices for lawful interception, fighting crimes in the state would be done seamlessly.
The Commissioner said: “We can’t use orthodox method to address present security challenges. Most of our vehicles are grounded. The refurbishing are ongoing through the financial assistance of the people. We need military drones that can go 50km, live tracking devices to get the location where criminals are hiding.
“Now, kidnapping has gone highly sophisticated and you can confirm it from anybody. We can’t use the same old method, or maybe the approach of the 70s or the 80s or even the 90s to address this present security challenges.
“In a lot of states where they are having successes and breakthroughs, they have hi-tech machines, drones, Lawful Intersection machine (LI), life tracking but here, we don’t have them. So, most times, what we rely on, whenever there is any incident of kidnapping, you deploy your men into the bush, to comb the bush. That is archaic and you hardly can achieve much success.”
Seeking solutions
While speaking on the surge in the security concerns in the state, most residents who spoke with Nigerian Tribune said the alarming trend has not only shattered the sense of security within the state, but also the local economy, prompting businesses to reevaluate their operations and potential investors to think twice before committing to the state.
A lecturer, who identified himself as Adedire, said the surge in criminal activities in Ondo have negatively impacted the local economy, as well as deterred potential foreign investors from the state.
He urged government to implement and reinforce robust security measures in the state by increasing police presence, intelligence gathering, and the deployment of modern surveillance technologies to monitor and respond to criminal activities.
He said, “Insecurity can be addressed through community engagement and intelligence sharing. This will help to build trust between residents and law enforcement agencies. Government should encourage the public to share information anonymously, thus creating a collaborative environment that will effectively combat kidnapping.
“I want to implore our security agencies too to step up in their fight against criminalities, they should employ technology for intelligence and crime prevention. I know they will need government support in this area. Security business should not be left for government and security agencies alone. It should be a collective responsibility, but we must all play our part well to give room for development. No nation or state can thrive without security of lives and property.”
Meanwhile, the commanders of the South West Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun also met to strategise on how to man the hinterland, borders and the forests in the region to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the people of the zone.
Amotekun, on its own, said it arrested no fewer than 114 people found wandering in the forests across the state.
Commander of Amotekun in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye said, “In the last few weeks, we have been engaged in running battles with strangers infiltrating our forests in Ondo State. The Governor of Ondo State has directed that all individuals without legitimate business in the deep forests of the state should be evacuated and sent back.
“Over 100 young men, without any clear purpose or destination, were intercepted at various points. What would they become if left unchecked? Criminals! We have been battling kidnappers and armed robbers across the state, and we are resolute in riding Ondo of such elements. If you have no legitimate reason to be in our forests, what exactly are you doing there?”
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Adeleye said the corps has been up and doing in ensuring that the state is safe. According to him, “Our people should not panic. We are not relenting. As a matter of fact, in recent time, there has been a significant influx of strangers into our state, particularly at our borders. Trailers have been arriving and dropping off individuals who are unfamiliar with the terrain. They simply penetrate the bush, leading to an increase in criminal activities around our border towns and cities.
“To address this issue, our corps has also entered the forests to drive out these individuals. The Governor of Ondo State has directed us to ensure that all miscreants and those with no legitimate business in the forest are removed. We have commenced a clearance operation to achieve this goal.
“Furthermore, Mr Governor has instructed Amotekun to work with the Amotekun Rangers to flush out these individuals from our forests. Over the past three weeks, we have rescued three sets of victims who were kidnapped on the highways. Recently, we rescued the last five victims of an 18-passenger vehicle kidnapped and reunited them with their families after providing medical treatment.
“Our efforts have been successful in rescuing victims and ensuring their safe return to society. The Ondo State Security Network Agency will continue to work diligently to maintain the safety and security of our state. We just want to appeal to our people to be supplying us useful information that can help us get these criminals.”
Speaking on the a recent Ayedatiwa security challenges in the state, emphasized that security remained a top priority for his administration, saying that his government has been actively supporting security outfits to ensure peace and stability in the state, and will continue to put issues affecting the security of lives and property at the forefront.
He said, “The protection of lives and property is the primary duty of any government, and that is what our administration is focused on.
“We have been working tirelessly with all security agencies to ensure that Ondo State remains safe for all residents. The security agencies are also seriously working tirelessly to ensure that the people are safe. The state government has been supporting them and we will add more to the support.
“We noticed that the criminals are not relenting in their efforts by trying to look for other ways to have incursions into the system. So we need more equipment like trackers and drones. These are some of the equipment we need to get for our security agencies and we are working on that already”
“So we are thinking of buying more equipment. We need to equip our security agencies. We are working on that already. Our administration has continued to invest in intelligence gathering, surveillance and logistics to strengthen security in the state. We are working closely with security agencies to improve response times and ensure the safety of our communities.
“We recognise that security is a collective responsibility, and we are ensuring that all hands are on deck to keep Ondo State safe. Our government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability in every part of the state.”
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