….Urges Watchfulness in Border
Communities as kidnappers demand #150 Million Ransom
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun
Oyebanji has appealed to Christians in Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government area
of the State to comply with the temporary suspension of vigil programmes in the
town until the security situation improves, describing the measure as part of
efforts to curb further attacks.
The governor who made the appeal
on Sunday during a condolence visit to Eda Oniyo Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local
Government Area, following the recent invasion of a church by gunmen, which led
to the killing of a pastor and the abduction of 16 worshippers, also urged
communities along the boundaries with Kwara, Osun and Kogi states to remain
vigilant and collaborate with government in preventing the influx of criminals
through forests and other porous routes .
Represented by his Deputy, Chief
(Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Oyebanji reiterated his administration’s resolve to
evolve strategies to check trans-border banditry and criminality capable of
endangering lives and causing panic among residents.
He expressed sadness over the
tragic incident but assured the people that the administration was fully
prepared to guarantee the safety of all residents.
The Governor also urged Eda Oniyo
community members to look inward and expose criminal elements, noting that
internal collusion was contributing to the repeated attacks.
“This government is deeply
saddened by this development. We had planned to site an industry along that
forest axis, but our people resisted it. Government cannot acquire your land
without adequate compensation. It is not
only Ilejemeje that shares boundaries with Kwara State. Why is criminality more
prevalent here than in other border communities? Those of you serving as
informants and collaborators to these criminals should desist in the interest
of your people and the corporate image of our state”.
“Let us suspend vigil activities
for now. Let us also hold our religious programmes during the daytime. Nobody
is stopping anyone from practising their faith, but we must adopt necessary
security measures at this critical time,” he said.
Oyebanji who assured residents
that his administration will not condone acts of terror, senseless killings, or
abductions, pledged that every necessary strategy would be deployed to
guarantee the safety and security of citizens.
The governor said his government
had continued to respond swiftly and proactively to security challenges through
effective synergy with security agencies, stressing that Ekiti would never
become a safe haven for terrorists and other criminal elements.
“This government will never
abandon you. We will work tirelessly to ensure that those abducted are rescued
alive. We feel your pain and understand what you are going through. On the
issue of a police station and military post, we will work hard to ensure their
delivery soon.
The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba
Johnson Awolola, said only swift government intervention could address the
recurring incidents of abduction and killings in the community.
The monarch stressed the need for
tighter security across the entire local government area, given its location
along the Kwara State border.
Describing the attack as
traumatic and unfortunate, Oba Awolola commended the state government for
showing sympathy and solidarity with the community.
“The government should urgently
intervene in our case. We are suffering here. This is not the first time we are
experiencing kidnapping and killings, but the incidents are becoming too
frequent and we are deeply saddened,” the monarch said.
Speaking on efforts by the
community to tackle insecurity, Chairman of the Eda Oniyo Progressive Union, Dr
Ajayi, said the town had commenced the construction of a police station along
the Eda Oniyo–Obbo Ayegunle border as part of measures to safeguard lives and
property.
He appealed to the government to
support the completion of the project and also establish a military post in the
area to reinforce security.
“The 16 people abducted six days
ago are still in captivity. Many of them are women and young children. The
kidnappers are demanding a minimum ransom of N150 million.
“The community has made offers,
but they rejected them. We are pleading with the government to come to our aid.
We are in an emergency situation,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner
for Local Government Affairs, Mr Folorunso Olabode, commended the state
government for prioritising the security of residents and demonstrating
commitment to restoring peace to the community.
Olabode urged residents of
Ilejemeje Local Government to remain security conscious and promptly report
suspicious movements to security agencies.
“Let us remain vigilant and
expose the bad eggs among us. We cannot afford to shield them because they pose
a grave danger to our collective existence,” he said.
Present at the meeting were the
member representing Ilejemeje Constituency in the Ekiti State House of
Assembly, Hon. Iyabo Fakunle-Okiemen, religious leaders, community leaders,
political stakeholders, youths and other residents.
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