–As two persons shot dead, three others abducted in fresh Ondo kidnap

— Protesters insist Aiyedatiwa must visit communities, shun Police Commissioner

— We’ve arrested kidnap right leader- Police

By Dayo Johnson Akure

Corpses of two kidnapped victims were used to block the Akure/ Owo highway by angry residents of some Ondo communities in Akure North council areas of the state, following a fresh kidnapping attack where two persons were shot dead and three others abducted by armed gunmen.

This coming barely 24 hours after the abduction of Joseph Aladesuyi, the secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area (LCDA) under Akoko North West Local Council Area of the state. Aladesuyi and two others were abducted by the bandits on his farm in Ilu-Abo community, near the Akure Airport.

Meanwhile, Aladesuyi’s kidnappers have established contact with the family, demanding ₦100 million for his release.

A sources in the family, said that kidnappers opened a line of communication with them at about 7am on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the angry residents of Ilu-Abo, Kajola and Owode communities barricaded the highway to protest over what they termed the insensitivity of the authorities to attend to the incessant abduction and killing of the residents of the area .

The protesters who blocked the highway with the corpses of the victims explained that gunmen again struck in the early morning of Tuesday, killing two persons and abducted three other members of the community.

They vowed not to leave the road until the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa visited the area and address them on the security challenges in the communities.

The state police Commissioner Adebowale Lawal, who visited the community was however, turned back by the angry protesters as they ignored his plea that they should allow free flow of traffic on the highway.

They insisted that they would not vacate the road as their lives are in danger every time.

Lawal pleaded with the residents that the security agencies including the State Security Network codenamed Amotekun, and the Police would ensure the safety of lives and properties and would beef up security in the communities.

They lamented that the ugly incidents occurred less than 24 hours after three people, including a council secretary were abducted from their farm to an unknown destination.

The demostrators displayed placards with various inscriptions, such as “We Are Dying, Save Our Soul” “Mr. Governor, Please Assist Us” “Our Children Are in Danger and” We Cannot Go to Farms Again” among others.

They carried the corpses and chanted songs, demanding for urgent government intervention in addressing the persistent insecurity in the communities near the Akure airport.

Their protest caused a heavy gridlock along the expressway connecting the southern parts of the country with the North, as they insisted that they would not allow vehicular movement along the road until the government addressed the unending security challenges confronting them in the communities.

A local, who spoke with newsmen, lamented that kidnapping incidents had become frequent in the area, accusing the government of failing to take decisive action to protect lives and property.

He said that “We are tired of this situation. Almost every day now, 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 have been taken away by gunmen.

“The government is not doing anything to protect us. People are living in fear, and many farmers can no longer go to their farms. We cannot continue like this.

“Kidnappers operate freely here, and nobody is safe again. We have reported several times, but nothing has changed. That is why we blocked the road so the government will hear us,” the resident said.

The police Commissioner during a visit to the traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, assured him that efforts were made by security agencies to curb insecurity in the town.

Lawal said that he would deploy additional policemen and tactical units to check the insecurity.

Meanwhile, the abductors of Aladesuyi, who is the Managing Director of Jotina Farms, have insisted on collecting N100m ransom before his release.

A Family source said that ” They (kidnappers) called this morning. They asked us to bring N/₦100 million before they would release him. They spoke very shortly and hastily during the call, and they did not even allow us to say much.

“We have been very worried since yesterday, but the call has given us hope. We are still expecting that they will call because the money is a whole lot. How do we raise that amount as a family?

“Our concern is more about his health at the moment because we were made to understand that when they (kidnappers) arrived on the farm, he was shot in one of his hands while they were dragging him.

Meanwhile, police detectives have arrested one Abdullahi Lawal, identified as the mastermind of a kidnapping incident in the Ikare-Akoko axis.

According to the command spokesperson DSP Jimoh Abayomi, “Abdullahi Lawal, managed to escape from the scene at the time, despite sustaining gunshot injuries during the encounter with police operatives.

“Following his escape, the Command immediately placed the suspect on an intelligence watchlist, while intensive surveillance and discreet investigations were launched to track his movements and possible hideouts.

“After months of sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated efforts by security personnel, the suspect was successfully apprehended by police operatives in Ikare-Akoko.

Abayomisaid “He has since made useful confessional statements and will be charged to court.