Residents of the – community in the Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State have expressed their anger and frustration over the recent resurgence of kidnappings and killings in their community.
The residents, in a statement signed by the chairman and secretary of the community, Semiu Usman-Legitan and Wale Fadipe respectively and made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday, pointed accusing fingers at some criminal elements among some foreigners living in the community as the brains allegedly behind the attacks.
The community leaders claimed that just recently, these attackers killed one Kabiru Ogunrinde while accompanying the police to a crime scene.
They added that another resident, Eric Adekanmbi, was also killed about three days ago while trying to secure the release of a kidnapped victim.
These resurgent kidnappings and killings according to the statement, now made the people of this border community live in constant fear, unsure of when the next attack will occur.
The statement partly read, “In recent months, the situation in Iwoye-Ketu has deteriorated rapidly. Our community has become a hotbed of kidnappings, killings, and other violent acts. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes are believed to be members of the Fulani ethnic group, who have taken up residence in our community. These individuals have shown no regard for human life, attacking and hacking our people to death at the slightest provocation.
“The frequency and brutality of these attacks have instilled fear and anxiety among our people. It is crucial to note that Iwoye-Ketu is a border town, which has significantly contributed to the rising crime and violence we are experiencing. The proximity to the border has made our community vulnerable to infiltration by criminal elements who exploit the porous borders to perpetrate their heinous acts.
“This geographical factor has exacerbated the security challenges in our community, making it even more imperative for swift and decisive action. This August alone, we have witnessed three separate incidents of kidnapping within our community. These kidnappings are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader campaign of terror being waged against our people.
“The attackers have been relentless in their efforts, leaving a trail of bloodshed and sorrow in their wake. Our community is under siege, and the threat to our lives and properties has never been more dire. The violence has claimed the lives of many promising young men in our community.”
The community leaders explained further that in response to these attacks, the leaders of Iwoye-Ketu, along with various interest groups, have taken several steps to address the situation by engaging in numerous meetings with security agencies, yet there had been no respite
The community highlighted that despite the petitions submitted to the police and the DSS regarding the killing of Adekanmbi, no arrest has been made by any security agency.
The residents have, therefore, called for the quick intervention of the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, relevant government agencies and international organisations to avoid further bloodshed in the border communities.
The community also debunked a video on YouTube alleging that the regent of the town, Enoch Alaye in connivance with the Divisional Police Officer of Imeko is protecting the Fulani group and tacitly supporting killings in the community saying that the allegation was unfounded and false in its entirety. (Punch)