By Gbenga Ojikutu
A Joint Security Committee of Ikere, Emure, and Ise/Orun Councils in Ekiti State has called for the establishment of military checkpoints and police posts along two interstate roads notorious for kidnapping activities in the area.
The JSC Chairman, Tunji Falana, lamented that “kidnappers have been accessing Ekiti State and our area through the two roads linking Ekiti and Ondo states—Emure Ekiti-Eporo Road and Emure Ekiti-Supare Akoko Road—perpetrating kidnappings for ransom, killings, and other crimes.”
Recalled that gunmen, on January 29, kidnapped nine persons on the Emure-Eporo Road, including five schoolchildren, three female teachers, and a school bus driver. The kidnappers later killed the driver and released the others.
Similarly, on August 31, kidnappers attacked four travelers on the same road, killing one person and kidnapping three others. One more victim, a young school leaver, was killed while the other two were released after a ransom was paid.
The Chairman of Emure Local Government Area, Tosin Adedayo, advocated the establishment of a military checkpoint on the Emure-Eporo Road.
He argued that such a measure would deter kidnappers from the area and ensure safety on the road.
Falana, in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, appealed to the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to assist by facilitating the presence of security agents on these roads.
“We have made our position clear, which can help curb the kidnappings and criminal activities. We are requesting a military checkpoint along Emure-Eporo Road and a police post along Emure Ekiti-Supare Akoko Road,” he said.
“These two roads linking Ekiti State to Ondo State have been identified as routes used by kidnappers to access this area. We urge Governor Oyebanji to treat our request with urgency for the safety of lives and property. We should not wait for another kidnapping incident. Our people—those kidnapped and later released after ransom, those mourning the dead victims, and others—cannot forget the kidnapping of school pupils and the recent incidents along Emure-Eporo Road.”
Falana also called on well-meaning individuals from the three local government areas to support the JSC to enhance the security of lives and property in their communities.
“We thank the House of Representatives member representing this area at the National Assembly, Niyi Ojuawo, for his prompt responses to security matters in this area. We call on other well-meaning people of Ise, Orun, Emure, and Ikere Ekiti communities to follow suit and rise to the occasion. The activities of the JSC have, no doubt, contributed to reducing kidnapping and other crimes, including illegal activities in the expansive forests. We need support to sustain operations involving all security agencies and paramilitary organisations in the area,” he added
