Following a series of abductions and killings by suspected kidnappers in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, residents of the affected communities staged a protest on Tuesday.
During the demonstration, the protesters blocked the busy Akure–Owo highway, using the remains of a kidnapped victim allegedly killed by his abductors.
The protest caused a standstill of traffic along the corridor, as residents expressed fear for their safety, highlighting their vulnerability despite living close to Akure Airport.
The protesters, who recovered the remains of a middle-aged man killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, prevented the free flow of traffic, leading to gridlock along the highway connecting the southern parts of the country with the North.
On Monday, the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area under Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state was kidnapped on his farm alongside two others.
According to the protesters, who were mostly youths, they would only allow vehicular movement along the road after the government addresses the insecurity rocking communities in Akure North Local Government Area.
The infuriated residents, armed with placards bearing various inscriptions such as “We Are Dying, Save Our Souls”, “Mr Governor, Please Assist Us”, and “Our Children Are in Danger and We Cannot Go to Farms Again”, stressed that they could neither go to the farm nor sleep because of the incessant kidnappings in the communities.
While insisting that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa visit the scene of the protest, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, persuaded the residents to allow the free flow of traffic on the highway.
The police boss assured them that he would deploy additional policemen and tactical units to tackle the insecurity.