From Jimoh Ahmed, Owo

Fear and anxiety now grip market women, farmers, and travelers passing through the Irun Akoko/Imesi Ekiti and Irun to Egbe Ekiti roads following occasional kidnapping incidents in the area.

A farmer from Irun Akoko, Mr. Ojo Daniel, disclosed that farmers now prefer going to their farms in groups.

Meanwhile, a market woman from Ikare Akoko, Mrs. Racheal Lasisi, who usually buys maize and other foodstuffs from Egbe Ekiti, decided not to go because she narrowly escaped being kidnapped on the road.

According to our findings, the apprehension of falling victim to kidnappers in the area heightens, especially in the early hours of the day and in the evening.

Sources who spoke with The Hope while recounting two or three incidents on the road said the development is sending fears down the spine of the people, causing many residents of the area to take their time before embarking on any journey.

Speaking on insecurity in the area, retired General Ade Olorunfemi from Supare Akoko and Group Captain Adebambo Jagunmolu from Ogbagi posited that there is a need to do more in the area of security in Akoko because it is a border region and gateway to Ondo State.

They advised that various communities in Akoko must form local vigilante and hunters groups to complement the regular security agents since security is everybody’s business.

In the same vein, the ugly story is not different on the Supare-Akoko/Emure Ekiti road, as kidnapping cases are also reported in the area.