Amid escalating insecurity in Ondo State, residents are increasingly anxious over their safety due to frequent cases of kidnapping by armed bandits.
Since November last year, attacks in Ondo and across the South West have dominated headlines, with multiple cases of abduction and killings.
Victims who failed to meet ransom demands were often killed, while survivors continue to suffer the trauma of their ordeal.
The latest incident involved the abduction of Mr Nelson Adepoyigi, a local chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area.
Mr Adepoyigi, who chairs Ward 5, was kidnapped on Monday evening at the entrance of his residence along the Ifon/Owo road.
Daily Trust reports that the bandits ambushed Mr Adepoyigi as he returned from inspecting his farm.
A friend of the victim, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N100 million for his release.
“He was taken at around 11 pm. They hit him with planks before dragging him into the bush. His family has since been contacted,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Olushola Alayande, said the command had received the report and launched an investigation.
He added that a joint operation involving the police, local hunters, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, and army personnel had been initiated to rescue the abducted APC official.
“The Ondo State Police Command urges anyone with information that could aid in the rescue operation to come forward. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities,” he said.
Residents express worry
Many residents have expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, which they say threatens their lives, livelihoods, and the state’s economic stability.
They described the surge in abductions as alarming and called on the Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to take decisive action to address the escalating security crisis and restore peace to the affected communities.
Mrs Adeola Aladeseyi, a resident of the Oba Ile area in Akure North LGA, said residents can no longer sleep peacefully due to new tactics employed by bandits.
“It’s disheartening because it shows we are no longer safe. We can’t even sleep at night. These bandits move around freely and now deliberately select their targets,” she said.
“They ambush their victims, especially on the streets. The troubling part is that some of these unemployed youths have become their informants. They monitor people’s movements and know exactly when you come and go. It’s worrisome, I must tell you.”
Another resident, Mr Mustapha Irewolade, expressed deep concern over the frequent abductions of motorists along the highway.
“I strongly advise against travelling through the Owo and Akoko road at night,” he said. “These bandits mostly operate after dark, and they do so without any resistance. I believe they even have informants aiding their operations.
“What’s most frustrating is the outrageous ransom they often demand. The government must act urgently to address the worsening security situation in the state,” he added.
Temitope Adeniyan, a resident of Ilu Abo in Akure North LGA, also blamed porous borders for the surge in crime, stressing the need for more security presence in the state.
“If the government wants to fight this, it must secure the border towns. Criminals enter the state daily with dangerous intent. Farmers are abandoning their lands out of fear,” he said.
Expert calls for state of emergency on security
A security expert, Mr Fadausi Ayeka, has called for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector. He expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks by bandits on motorists, farmers, and residents.
Mr Ayeka attributed the worsening security situation in the state to a lack of political will, stressing that decisive action is urgently needed.
“If you look at the number of kidnapping cases in the state, you’d be shocked. Several families are currently nursing deep wounds. This is a tough time for everyone-farmers, motorists, and residents. Nowhere is safe,” he said.
“It’s disheartening that the government appears indifferent. The body language of leadership matters. Unfortunately, that indifference is what emboldens these criminals to operate freely and without fear.”
Mr Ayeka advised the state government to increase funding and provide better equipment for local security agencies, particularly the Amotekun Corps.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Speaking at a recent function, the governor said his administration has provided substantial support to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police and Amotekun Corps, to strengthen their capacity to combat crime.
“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 governor said.
Disturbing pattern of attacks
Numerous kidnapping incidents have been reported in Ondo State, highlighting the deteriorating security situation, particularly along highways and in rural communities.
One notable case involved the abduction of ten travellers along the Benin-Owo highway near the Ipele area in Owo Local Government Area.
The victims, who were travelling from Akwa Ibom to Akure, were ambushed by armed bandits and dragged into the forest.
The kidnappers contacted their families, issued death threats, and demanded ransom. Though the victims were eventually rescued by operatives of the Amotekun Corps, their release reportedly came at a cost.
In January 2025, at least five farmers were shot dead by gunmen while working on their farms in the Ajegunle-Powerline community, also in Akure North LGA.
Around the same time, a 75-year-old woman was raped by a gang of bandits in Ifira Akoko, Akoko LGA. Recounting her ordeal, the elderly victim said she was returning from her farm when she was accosted by three men who dragged her into the bush.
“They grabbed me and dragged me into the bush. One of them forcefully removed my clothes and raped me. I was confused and terrified. I don’t remember much, but I know Amotekun officers eventually came to my rescue after hearing my screams,” she told journalists in Akure.
That same month, a health worker, Mr Akinola Oyabiyi, aged 46, was shot dead by bandits while returning home from work in the Eleyowo community, not far from the Akure Airport. He was reportedly trying to resist abduction. The attackers abducted his son, who was released after ten days following the payment of a ransom.
As the Oyabiyi family was still recovering, the bandits struck again-this time abducting a farm owner, Mr Olanrewaju Oyeleye, and his farm manager.
Oyeleye, who had just returned to Nigeria to invest in agriculture, was taken into the forest along with his manager, who was beaten mercilessly. The abductors demanded N100 million in ransom.
In another horrifying attack, bandits stormed four communities-Ademekun, Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, and Alajido-in Akure LGA around 2 a.m., killing at least 14 local farmers in their sleep.
The attackers left behind a trail of destruction: mutilated bodies, bloodstains, burnt homes, and displaced families.
Several villagers were abducted during the invasion, while others sustained serious injuries from machete cuts and gunshot wounds.
In Ilu Abo, also in Akure LGA, nine surveyors were kidnapped from their worksite. The abductors initially demanded N100 million, but negotiations led to a reduced ransom of N20 million.
The victims were released after spending over a week in captivity. Their abduction sparked widespread protests, particularly by women, who stormed the governor’s office in Alagbaka, paralysing movement for hours as they demanded urgent action.
On February 9, 2025, three young farmers who had recently graduated from the Federal College of Agriculture were abducted while working on their farm in Akure North LGA. The abduction occurred just a few kilometres from the Akure Airport in Oba Ile. The bandits demanded N300 million for their release, but the victims were eventually freed after a N5 million ransom was paid.
In March 2025, a similar incident occurred when a farmer and his labourer were abducted while returning from their farmland. They were released only after their families managed to raise the required ransom.
The continuous spate of kidnapping has forced many farmers to abandon their farms out of fear for their lives. Despite repeated assurances from security agencies, many now feel unsafe and have relocated.
(Daily trust)
