Fear in Ondo communities as kidnappers tighten grip on Akure North

Fear grips communities in Akure North, Ondo State, as a spate of kidnappings, shootings, and ransom-driven attacks terrorises residents, forcing many to abandon their homes and farms as experts and residents warn that without modern equipment, proper funding, and strategic interventions, the cycle of violence and banditry may persist, writes PETER DADA

Nigeria continues to face security challenges such as banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping, with the Southern part of the country, deemed relatively peaceful over the years, now repeatedly under siege. From Ondo to Oyo to Ekiti, in particular, there have been repeated instances of kidnapping and other forms of criminality. Ondo State has particularly been in the eye of the storm in recent times, with several protests against the kidnapping of church members, traditional rulers, and other members of society. Several residents have reportedly fallen victim to abductions at different times, with huge ransoms paid.

Among the 18 local government areas in Ondo State, Akure North Local Government has particularly recorded regular cases of banditry, which have led to loss of lives and others kidnapped for ransom.

It was created from the former Akure Local Government Area in 1997, with its headquarters in the Iju community. The council is one of the largest in the state and consists largely of agrarian communities, many of which are inhabited by non-indigenes who depend on farming for their livelihood. The local government also shares boundaries with Ekiti and Edo states.

Barely a year ago, no fewer than 14 people were shot dead while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries in four communities—Ademekun, Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday and Alajido—in Akure North Local Government Area during attacks allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen. Before that incident, five farmers were also reportedly shot dead by suspected herdsmen in the same council.

Aside from the killings, many residents have also been kidnapped in the past 12 months and released only after the payment of huge ransoms. For instance, in March last year, nine surveyors were abducted in Akure North but were later freed after their families paid ransom. Beyond these cases, several other kidnappings in the council area are said to have gone unreported. In many instances, victims are abducted, their families are contacted by the kidnappers, and ransom is quietly negotiated and paid to secure their release.

The situation has continued to deteriorate since the beginning of this year, reaching a point where some residents of affected communities are relocating to safer areas to avoid falling victim to kidnappers.

In January, three people, including a pregnant woman and a school proprietor, were kidnapped in Eleyowo, Ilu-Abo and Ayede communities in the council area, while another person was shot dead. In February, bandits struck again, kidnapping one Jamiu Olawale and his wife while shooting their neighbour, identified simply as Patrick. In the same month, the monarch of the Agamo community in Akure North Local Government Area, Oba Kehinde Falodun, was killed by bandits.

Shortly after the incident, two traders riding on a motorcycle were attacked in the Ogbese community, leaving one of them dead while the other escaped. Also in February, five persons were abducted by gunmen during a vigil at a Celestial Church of Christ in Uso community in neighbouring Owo Local Government Area of the state. They were later released after the payment of a ransom. These cases represent only a fraction of the many others that were said to have gone unreported.

The latest incident is the abduction of the Secretary of the Okeluju Local Council Development Area, Mr Kayode Aladesuyi, and another person identified as Esther.  They were kidnapped on their farm in the Kajola area of Akure North on Monday. In another disturbing development, a viral video last week showed four armed men abducting a woman in front of her house in the presence of her children.

Some residents of communities in Akure North Local Government say they have begun relocating to other areas to avoid falling victim to kidnappers. Some have even put their houses up for sale. It was also learnt that several non-indigenes of the state who depend on farming for their livelihood are moving to safer locations, while others have reportedly left the state entirely.

One of the affected residents, a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Oladimeji, reportedly abandoned their personal home in Ilu-Abo community and relocated to Akure, where they rented an apartment in Eleyowo, a few kilometres from the state capital. Their decision followed the kidnapping of one of their friends in the neighbouring Ilu-Abo community. Although the abduction and eventual release of their friend was not publicly reported, Mr Oladimeji, a businessman, said the family decided to relocate for the safety of himself, his wife and their children.

Oladimeji said, “Since the abduction of my friend, we have been living in fear. I had to look for a small apartment in Akure to stay for now. If the insecurity issue is addressed in our former area, we will move back. However, I am also contemplating selling the house. We have lived in fear since the beginning of this year.”

Meanwhile, some observers also note that efforts at tackling insecurity in the area are being undermined by community dwellers allegedly conniving to provide information to bandits regarding residents perceived to be wealthy. A source within the police said this is evidenced by the fact that some of the suspects arrested were not the actual kidnappers but collaborators who provided information to the bandits about potential victims, and earned a share of the ransom collected.

“During investigation, the police sometimes discover that the victims of these kidnap cases were essentially sold out to the kidnappers, with collaborators giving them detailed information about the victims, including the time and date to strike. Some of these collaborators are even relatives, workers, or neighbours of the victims. They do it to secure a share of the ransom when it is collected. I think this is the area that should be focused on most, and people in the communities need to be extremely vigilant,” the source stated.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, now the monarch of Ilu-Abo community, Oba Olu Falae, acknowledged the existence of criminal collaborators in the area but expressed confidence that they would soon be exposed and brought to justice.

He said, “I believe some of the criminal elements are among our people. The three people they kidnapped are fairly well-to-do. Mrs Olasehinde runs a school in Akure. Her husband lives in Canada, so it is presumed that he sends her money. They came specifically for her, knowing they could demand a good ransom. One of our people even informed the kidnappers where to find her. When they arrived, they went straight to her house. They didn’t go anywhere else. Those who were shot and killed were collateral damage. For example, a boy driving into town had his headlamps catch the kidnappers and their victims; they thought it was deliberate, but he was just passing through. Yet Mrs Olasehinde was the target, and they took her away.”

He continued, “The second case involved a young man and his wife, a butcher. He lives here but works in Obaile, also in Akure North LGA. I estimate he would slaughter two or three cows a day. Considering a large cow can be sold for about N1m, he could make roughly N200,000 daily. They were tipped off to kidnap him and his wife because the ransom would be lucrative. When he was returning from Oba-Ile, they were already there, waiting. It was a well-planned operation.”

“So, someone or some people here must have been working with the kidnappers. The last victim, Jostina, who runs a poultry farm, is also not a pauper. They went after him because it was known he had a substantial farm. What is clear is that the collaborators are among us, and we will do everything possible to identify them. Once we do, we shall deal with them, by God’s grace. Without them, these criminals could not persist in terrorising us,” Falae added.

The state government is aware of the role played by criminal collaborators in the communities and has expressed readiness to confront the menace. In a statement, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said the government had identified certain locals in areas with rising kidnapping cases as collaborators. He added that all security agencies have been directed to take firm action against them.

Ajanaku said, “The government is aware that unscrupulous elements are attempting to exploit criminal activities to portray Ondo State as unsafe. Such acts are unacceptable and will be met with firm and lawful action. Consequently, the government has directed all security agencies in the state to intensify surveillance and immediately clamp down on individuals or groups involved in these nefarious activities.

“Security operatives have been mandated to ensure that those found culpable are apprehended, thoroughly investigated, and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” Ajanaku said.

Similarly, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa also acknowledged the presence of criminal collaborators and vowed to deal with them when he met the state leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in his office on Tuesday.

Aiyedatiwa said, “Crime is usually carried out by syndicates—some Fulani, some locals. Some provide information about movements, while others take victims into the forest. If investigations trace any criminal activity to anyone, whether they have legitimate business or not, they will be treated as criminals. No godfather, sponsor, or collaborator will be spared.”

With the state government and the governor now fully aware of the existence of evil-minded collaborators, observers say the menace can be effectively curbed. Residents, however, stress that more than words are needed—real action and strategic intervention from the government are critical. They also emphasised the need for modern security equipment and adequate funding of the state’s security sector.

As residents live in fear of the next attack, residents of the area have consistently fingered the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the security issue plaguing the state. They question whether the state government has provided sufficient logistical support to security agencies in the state, compared to previous administrations.

Some residents argue that it should not be difficult for the state government to procure modern security equipment to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities, noting that Ondo State reportedly lacks basic technological tools such as tracking equipment, drones and other gadgets needed to effectively combat insecurity.

Although the governor recently recruited 500 personnel into the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, and established the Amotekun Rangers, stakeholders say more needs to be done.

They suggested that local hunters, who are familiar with the forest terrain, should be empowered to complement the efforts of the Amotekun Rangers and other security agencies in flushing out bandits hiding in forests across the Sunshine State. Without such measures, they warned, the fight against banditry may remain a daunting task.

The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups have consistently spoken of efforts to curb criminal activities in the area. Several suspects have reportedly been arrested, with some confessing to their involvement in various crimes before being charged in court. However, observers insist that these efforts must be complemented with modern technology and improved funding to effectively eliminate the criminals terrorising communities in the state.

On the efforts of the police, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, expressed concern over the recurring crimes in the state, particularly in Akure North, but assured that the command was on top of the situation. Officers have been deployed in the affected local government area.

“The newly deployed tactical team comprises specially trained operatives drawn from the command’s elite units, including anti-kidnapping operatives and other tactical formations. The team will operate on a 24-hour basis, carrying out intensive patrols, surveillance operations, intelligence gathering, and coordinated operations within Ilu-Abo, Ayede, Ogbese, and surrounding communities,” Abayomi said.

He added, “In addition to the deployment, the command has intensified joint security operations, stop-and-search exercises, forest combing operations, and intelligence-led raids targeting criminal hideouts and suspected kidnapping networks operating within forested and boundary communities. These measures are designed to dismantle criminal syndicates and prevent criminals from using the terrain as safe havens.”

A security expert and retired military officer, Toye Oluyi, has, however, criticised the state government’s handling of security, describing its performance as inadequate. He stressed that the Ondo State Governor must rise to his primary responsibility of protecting lives and property, and called for the use of modern technology to enhance crime-fighting efforts.

“The primary responsibility of government is to provide security and social welfare. A serious government doesn’t play politics with security; you don’t joke with it. Our governor has not done well in this area. I would advise Mr Governor to emulate his immediate predecessor, who boldly created the Amotekun. We all saw what the Amotekun achieved during the last administration. But now, with kidnapping on the rise, it is clear that Amotekun’s performance has dropped. Something has to be done. Security is everyone’s business, but the governor must show leadership,” Oluyi stated. (Punch)