Ekiti community cry out over incessant kidnapping in their domain

The residents appealed to Governor Fayemi to plug security holes that had been giving kidnappers to have field days in the area.

A composite of Kayode Fayemi and Kidnappers

Residents of Ijesa Isu-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti on Saturday appealed to Governor Kayode Fayemi to tighten security in the community.

Residents who spoke with journalists appealed to security agencies and the state government to arrest kidnappers tormenting the community.

One of the residents, Ronke Adebayo, appealed to Mr Fayemi to plug security holes that had been giving kidnappers to have field days in the area.

“It is quite unfortunate that our community that used to be very peaceful has become the den of kidnappers.

“Our sons and daughters outside Ekiti can no longer come home to visit us; instead, they prefer to speak to us on the phone,” Mrs Adebayo lamented.

Sola Oni, another resident, said it was time the state government swung into action and eradicated kidnapping in Ekiti.

Mr Oni condemned security agencies for not taking proactive measures to arrest the perpetrators of the evil act.

“The current security challenges that we are facing in Ijesa Isu-Ekiti are not good, especially when we have active security agencies.

“I advise the governor to give priority to the safety of indigenes because kidnapping has become a business in the state,’’ he said.

Felicia Akanbi, also a resident, condemned the evil acts of unknown gunmen who have been kidnapping people in the community.

Mrs Akanbi noted that the town had been known for peace and love without any evidence of unlawful activities for decades.

She appealed to the state government to flush out the perpetrators of kidnapping in the community and make them face the law.

Also, Bode Oguntuase, said he moved his family out of Ijesa Isu-Ekiti to a safer town where he could visit them in peace.

Mr Oguntuase noted he was only in Ijesa Isu-Ekiti to move his remaining property to a new house he hired in another town.

Between March 21 and March 30, 21 persons were kidnapped along Ijesa Isu-Ekiti to Ikole-Ekiti Road, after which huge ransoms were paid for their release.

Youths in the community consequently staged a public protest against the kidnaps.