Bandits at the weekend killed two people, including one vigilante in Isin local government area of Kwara State.

They were also said to have kidnapped many vigilantes who attempted to rescue about over 30 people kidnapped recently.

According to the villagers, whereabouts of seven vigilantes remained unknown while 30 motorcycles belonging to the captured vigilantes have been burnt to ashes by the bandits.

Consequently, youths in the village have taken to streets and major roads blocking passages in protest of the unending banditry in their communities.

They hijacked Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway, demanding urgent government Intervention.

Our correspondent noted that the ever busy Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway was on Saturday jointly blocked by the youths from Isanlu-Isin, Oke-Onigbin, Edidi communities as early as 8:a.m.

Led by some traditional Chiefs, the youths carried placards with various inscriptions like: ‘Enough is Enough, ‘Stop Kidnapping our People, ‘We demand government urgent intervention, ‘Our people are dying in the hands of kidnappers’, ‘We are tired of paying ransom without results’.

They told newsmen that the incessant kidnappings had prevented them from going to the farm and embarking on other trading and commercial activities thereby spreading anxiety and hunger among them.

They decried the nonchalant attitude of security agencies and the government to their plight in spite of several appeals through letters and visitations to police formations and the government in Ilorin.

All appeals by security personnels from Omu-Aran and Isin police commands including a detachment of soldiers on patrol for the protesters to unblock the highway proved abortive as the youths vowed to continue the protest until their plight was addressed by the relevant authorities.

Chief Michael Ayanda, Chief Odee of Isanlu-Isin lamented that the people have been overwhelmed by kidnappers who carryout their nerfarious activities unhindered.

He alleged that in spite of payment of ransoms running into millions of Naira most of their kidnapped victims are yet to regain their freedom.

Ayanda also claimed that the whereabout of no fewer than seven members of the communities vigilant members who volunteer to comb the forest to effect the release of their people is still unknown.

He disclosed that the body of a vigilante member who was killed in the attack with the kidnappers have been recovered, confirming that 30 motorcycles belonging to the vigilante members were set ablaze by the kidnappers.

“We have paid N30 million for two people earlier kidnapped but they are yet to be released them, they are asking for another money.

“Today we have paid another N10 million for the release of seven kidnapped community members but they only released one person.

“The purpose of this protest is to let the concern authorities and the whole world be aware of our plight, especially our government to assist us to free our people and guarantee security of live and property,” he said.

The Chairman of Irepodun local government, Mr. Azeez Yakubu, who was at the scene of the protest at Eleyin Village near Omu-Aran appealed for calm with a promise to pass their grievances to higher authority.

Mallam Ismaila Ahmed, the Serikin Fulani of Eleyin Village in Isin local government said seven of their community members are still with the kidnappers after collecting ransom.

“Our people have become targets of the kidnappers in the recent times. No fewer than eleven of our people are yet to regain their freedom and we have paid N20 million to date,” he said.

The Olusin of Ijara-Isin, Oba Ademola Julus who was on phone with the leaders of the protesting youth and monitored by our Correspondent, also called calm and urged the youth to be orderly and peaceful in their protest.

He said he was presently in the office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja to discuss the issue of kidnapping and other insecurity related issues for possible solutions.

While the community maintained that two vigilantes were killed, the state government, yesterday said only one vigilante, Saheed Adesina was killed.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, in Ilorin, the governor commend the bravery of the Isin and Irepodun vigilantes who mounted a spirited resistance against the criminals.”

“I also send my heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Saheed Adeshina, who succumbed to the injuries in the encounter. May God repose his soul. His family is assured of our prayers and support at this difficult moment,” he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq however approved N10m financial support for the family of the dead vigilante, commending his bravery and commitment to the community. (Saturday Guardian)

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