By Duchess Ifeoluwa
Tension heightened in Akure on Saturday as residents of Imafon, Igushin and Ilado communities in Ondo State staged a mass protest against escalating attacks and killings that have left at least two persons dead and several others injured in recent days.
The protesters, who gathered in large numbers, barricaded the busy Shoprite intersection, situated a few metres from the Governor’s Office, bringing traffic to a standstill and disrupting vehicular movement along major routes, including Adekunle Ajasin Road, Oda Road, Igbatoro Road and parts of Alagbaka Quarters.
Clad in sombre mood and chanting solidarity songs, the demonstrators expressed outrage over what they described as persistent and unchecked violence in their communities, accusing authorities of failing to respond effectively to the worsening security situation.
The protest followed a series of violent incidents that have thrown the affected communities into mourning during the week.
On Thursday, suspected bandits reportedly invaded Igushin community, where they shot dead a poultry farmer and her daughter during an attempted abduction.
Less than 24 hours later, gunmen struck again in Ilado community, abducting a young man who was later macheted and shot while attempting to escape from his captors.
A youth leader, who identified himself simply as Olakunle, said the frequency and brutality of the attacks had pushed residents to the brink, alleging that armed groups now operate freely within the Akure axis without resistance.
“We are protesting due to the incessant killings and kidnappings day in and day out at Imafon, Igushin and Ilado. A mother and daughter were killed two days ago, and another young man was brutally attacked yesterday,” he said.
He questioned the utilisation of the state’s security vote, arguing that its impact had not been felt despite the growing insecurity.
“We want the government to rise up to its responsibilities. We have not seen the impact of the monthly security votes in the state. We are tired of burying our people every week while those paid to protect us do nothing.
“These gunmen move freely in the state capital, and yet our leaders remain silent. Where exactly is the security vote going? We see no presence of security, no patrols, no results,” he added.
The protesters insisted they would sustain the agitation until the government, led by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, takes concrete steps to secure lives and property across the affected communities.
Saturday’s demonstration is the latest in a string of protests across parts of the state in recent weeks, driven by rising cases of abduction and killings.
The situation has further heightened public anxiety, particularly following reports that even prominent figures, including a traditional ruler, have fallen victim to the wave of violence.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official response from the state government, while residents continued to demand urgent intervention to halt what they described as a growing security crisis.
