• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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BusinessDay

Despite Army drones for surveillance, kidnapping armed banditry worsen in Ondo

In the last one year, Ondo State, hitherto known for its tranquil and peaceful environments, is now a hellhole for travellers and residents alike, many of whom have been victims of kidnappers and ritual killers.

Although, Nigerian Army recently launched drones to fight kidnapping and armed banditry that have become a daily occurrence in almost all the highways in Ondo state in addition to combined security efforts put up by various security agencies, it is scary that the security issues in the state are getting worse and leaving government and people helpless and hapless.

Politicians and citizens have been paying ransom to kidnappers, boosting a trade that has been outlawed by both the federal and state legislative institutions.
The rate of kidnapping is now on the increase, not only in Ondo State but also in some other states of the South-west.

In September 2018, four persons were abducted by kidnappers along Akure-Owo Expressway, specifically at Amurin Village in Owo Local Government Area of the state. Among the victims was a lecturer of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo (RUGIPO), Taiwo Akinyemi.

Read Also: https://businessday.ng/security/article/kidnappers-of-governor-sules-adviser-mamman-demand-n20m-ransom/

Akinyemi was not freed after six days in captivity, despite the payment of ransom to the kidnappers. Although the others, members of staff of the Federal Medical Centre Owo, have been freed after payment of ransom.

Sadly, the body of the 52-year-old Akinyemi was found in a bush tied to a tree last Sunday evening. He was killed by the kidnappers, reportedly for the failure of his family members to produce the ransom on time.

In early November, five persons including the senatorial candidate for the Ondo North senatorial district on the platform of African Democratic Congress, Jide Ipinsagba, and the party chairman, Bisi Ogungbemi, were kidnapped along Owo-Oba Akoko road amidst a retinue of toll collecting police checkpoints. They were fortunate to be released days later after a huge amount was paid as ransom.

Ayomide Ogunsuyi, a 23-year old student of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, narrowly missed hell, when on November 29, vigilant “Good Samaritans” spotted her being taken away by kidnappers right at the heart of the capital, Akure, to an unknown destination. The kidnappers sedated her as soon as she got into what she thought was a taxi taking her to her destination.

They made a detour from the main expressway and headed back to the town, an action that drew the attention of other commuters who felt the girl had actually indicated a different direction when she boarded the taxi. A police patrol at the area was immediately alerted and the girl was rescued.

In July this year, a former Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Dele Fagoriola, was kidnapped in his farm in a border village between Ondo and Ekiti States. He was said to have been trailed to his farm where he was abducted at about 3 p.m. He was, however, released after a ransom was paid to the abductors.

The state has also suffered a spate of murders closely linked to ritual killings.

Most enraging was the killing of a 75-year-grandmother in Ikare Akoko. Her breast, womb and parts of her private parts had been removed. The petty trader, whose death shocked her children and residents alike, was murdered while in her sleep at night. Another elderly woman who woke to raise the alarm was attacked in the process and only managed to survive after she was helped to the hospital at the break of day.

Also in July, the lifeless body of Khadijat, daughter of former Ondo State deputy governor, Lasisi Oluboyo, was found in the room of her boyfriend, Adeyemi Alao. She was a student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, The suspect, who was later arrested, was alleged to have killed the girl, buried her in his room and put his mattress on the grave. Oluboyo had hinted that his daughter was killed and used for rituals.

Also, along Akure-Ado road , a driver was last month Kidnapped on his way to Akure where the family paid N5 million as random before regaining his freedom.

Disturbed by the increasing insecurity, the Nigerian Army launched surveillance drones in the notorious zones.

The Brigade Commander of 32 Artillery in Akure, Brig. Gen. Zakari Abubakar said the drones would help in locating camps and hideouts of kidnappers in both Ondo and Ekiti states.

YOMI AYELESO