Prioritise protection of lives, property of Akure North/South residents, group to Aiyedatiwa

An Akure socio-cultural group, ‘Ooye Development Initiatives’ (ODI), in Ondo State, has called on the state government to prioritise the protection of the lives and property of the people of Akure North and South against a recent upsurge in kidnapping, killing and ransom-demand from the people by bandits.

Tokunbo Jegede, the President of the group, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Akure said the issue of kidnapping and killings in some parts of Akure and the state in general has become increasingly frightening, necessitating the call on the state government to protect the lives and property of the ordinary people which he said requires urgent intervention.

The statement reads further: “We as a group call on the State government to act swiftly in restoring peace and order in these areas. Our people are too vulnerable to the attacks of these nefarious individuals who seem to have a field day in shedding innocent people’s blood, killing and maiming without government coming to their aid,” said Jegede.

“While explaining the potential damage that insecurity is wreaking on the state, ODI said the areas where the incessant killings, kidnapping and ransom demands happen in Ondo State were its agricultural economic hubs, a situation which it said was not only frightening away investors but crippling the economy of the state.

“ODI also reminded government that its most important role and for which the people voted it into office is the protection of their lives and property, stating that the moment government fails to adequately play this role, it leaves the people with no choice but to result to self-help.

“The people of Akure North and South and indeed the generality of Ondo State, want to feel government’s protective hands in their day-to-day activities. Today, they can’t feel them. If this trend continues, the people may have to be their own government and the implication of this is that, we may land in the Hobbesian world where life is nasty, brutish and short.”