By Jimoh Ahmed, Ikare-Akoko

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Youths  in the border towns of Ikakumo, Akunu, Auga and Ise, all in Akoko Northeast Local Government of Ondo State, have braced up to fight insecurity in the area.

The men who said everything should be done to discourage and reduce crimes in the area posited that kidnapping, armed robbery and ritual killings have led to many farmers, particularly women, to abandon their farms for fear of falling victims.

They stated that the development has led to food scarcity and exorbitant prices of food stuffs.

According to a youth leader from Ise Akoko, Prince Adekunle Omola, he said all the communities in the axis have formed local vigilante groups that will compliment the regular security apparatus like Police, Civil Defence and Amotekun corps in making the area crime free.

Omola, however, gave kudos to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for giving approval for the recruitment of 350 additional Amotekun personnel  to boost security in Ondo state and beyond.

Investigation by  The Hope revealed that, presently, there was synergy among neirgbouring communities in Ijumu Local  Government of Kogi and Akoko Edo  Local Government of Edo state to reduce the activities of the miscreants.

It will be recalled that towns in Ondo State like Ajowa, Eriti, Akunnu, Ikakumo and Auga which share borders with Kogi and Edo States in recent times, criminal elements as many were kidnapped on their way to farms, market and schools.

Similarly, farmers were attacked on their farms  and some killed by the criminals.