Hundreds of angry youths from the Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area on Tuesday staged a dramatic protest against escalating insecurity, barricading the busy Akure–Owo Expressway and halting traffic for hours.
The protesters blocked the highway with the corpse of a man reportedly killed Monday night by suspected bandits in the community, demanding urgent government intervention to end the wave of attacks and kidnappings plaguing the area.
Eyewitness videos circulating online showed the youths carrying the lifeless body to the highway while chanting and displaying placards with messages such as “We are dying, save our souls,” “Mr Governor, please assist us,” “Our children are in danger,” and “We cannot go to farms again.”
Residents say the victim was attacked and killed by armed bandits, although his identity had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Community members said the situation has reached a breaking point as persistent kidnappings and violent attacks have forced many farmers to abandon their farms and families to live in constant fear.
According to the protesters, daily life in several communities across Akure North has become increasingly dangerous.
“We cannot go to our farms again, and we cannot sleep with our eyes closed,” one protester lamented, reflecting the widespread anxiety among residents.
The demonstration caused heavy gridlock along the strategic expressway as protesters insisted that no vehicle would pass until the state government addressed their concerns.
During the protest, the youths reportedly stopped the convoy of the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, insisting they would only end the blockade after hearing directly from the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The demonstration highlights growing frustration among residents who say security challenges in the region have intensified in recent months.
Reacting to the incident, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that urgent security measures had been activated to restore order and track down the perpetrators.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said a tactical team had been deployed to the affected community.
“The command has ordered the immediate deployment and establishment of a Tactical Team Base to be stationed at Ilu-Abo,” Jimoh said.
He added that security agencies have intensified joint patrols, stop-and-search operations, forest combing missions, and intelligence-led raids targeting suspected kidnapping networks operating within forested areas and boundary communities.
The protest comes barely 24 hours after the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area, Joseph Aladesuyi, was abducted alongside another victim identified as Esther.
Residents say the latest killing and recent abductions have deepened fears that criminal gangs are expanding their activities across rural communities in the state.
Just last week, youths in the same area blocked the road to protest the kidnapping of a couple, signaling growing public anger over the worsening security situation.
For many residents, Tuesday’s dramatic highway protest was a desperate cry for help and a demand for immediate action before more lives are lost.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
No comments:
Post a Comment