Residents of Ikole-Ekiti on Sunday appealed to the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, to propose an amendment bill that would pronounce a death sentence on kidnappers.

Some of the residents who spoke with journalists said it was time for the state government to take drastic actions against perpetrators of kidnapping in the community.

One of the residents, Bayo Ayeni, noted that Ekiti was no longer safe for both the children and adults because of the fear of kidnappers.

“The only way I believe insecurity, such as kidnapping, can be stopped is for Gov. Fayemi to pronounce the death penalty on the perpetrators,” he said.

Ronke Adu, a trader, said that she and her family no longer travel through the Ijesa Isu-Ekiti road because of the fear of being kidnapped.

Kayode Afolabi, a welder who is also a resident of Ikole-Ekiti, said that the high rate of insecurity in the community had become unbearable.

Mr Afolabi urged the state government to set up a security committee to investigate and find out the perpetrators of the crimes.

“The kidnappers are busy collecting ransom before the victims can be released, and those who are yet to pay are still with them,” he said.

Another resident, Omowumi Adelusi, said that the activities of kidnappers in Ikole-Ekiti and Ijesa Isu-Ekiti communities had become worrisome in the past few weeks.

“Anybody caught indulging in kidnapping should be executed to curb these evil men from forming a terrorist group in the state,” she said.

Between March 21 and March 31, no fewer than 20 persons were kidnapped by gunmen along Ijesa Isu-Ekiti and Ikole -Ekiti roads.

Youths of the community protested against incessant kidnappings in the communities and called for the immediate release of the victims.

(NAN)