Tension in Akure over fresh kidnap incident … angry residents block Akure–Owo Airport Road as protesters accuse government of inaction. By Binta Haroon

Tension in Akure over fresh kidnap incident

… angry residents block Akure–Owo Airport Road as protesters accuse government of inaction

Angry residents of Ilu-Abo in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday barricaded the Akure–Owo Airport Road in protest over a fresh suspected kidnapping attack that reportedly left one person dead and three others abducted.

The protest erupted less than 24 hours after the reported abduction of a local government official near the Akure Airport, further heightening fears among residents over the growing wave of insecurity in the area.

Eyewitnesses said the latest attack occurred late on Monday night when armed men stormed the Ilu-Abo axis, shooting sporadically and creating panic before abducting three persons.

One of the residents, who spoke with journalists during the protest, said a victim who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack later died, while the gunmen whisked away three others to an unknown destination.

The resident lamented that the frequent kidnapping incidents around the airport road had left the community in constant fear.

“We are tired of this situation. Almost every day we hear about kidnapping around the airport road.

Yesterday a council secretary was kidnapped and today again one person has been killed while three others were taken away.

The government is not doing enough to protect us,” the resident said.

In a dramatic show of anger on Tuesday morning, some residents reportedly carried the lifeless body of the victim to the road while others blocked the busy highway with logs, tyres and burning objects, bringing vehicular movement to a halt.

The protesters accused the Ondo State Government of showing insensitivity to the persistent security challenges confronting communities around the airport area, including Ilu-Abo, Kajola and neighbouring villages.

Another resident, who identified himself simply as Tunde, said the community resorted to the protest to draw government attention to their worsening security situation.

“We cannot continue like this. Kidnappers operate freely here and nobody feels safe anymore.

“We have reported these incidents several times but nothing has changed.

“That is why we blocked the road so that the government will hear our cry,” he said.

The protest caused heavy traffic along the busy Akure–Owo expressway, leaving many motorists and commuters stranded for several hours.