Scores of angry women in Ondo State trooped to the streets and the Government House in Akure to protest against security challenges confronting the state, particularly the abduction of nine surveyors at Owode/Ilu Abo in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state. 

The latest abduction followed the killing of 14 local farmers in some communities in the council area last weekend by suspected bandits. 

The protesters, mostly market women, on Tuesday stormed the Alagbaka Government Office in Akure, lamenting the surveyors’ abduction.  

The protest saw placard-wielding women blocking roads, obstructing traffic as they called on security agencies to secure the release of the kidnapped victims.

They stated that the victims were abducted on site and marched into the forest by the marauders. 

A sister to one of the victims, Comfort Afolabi, said the kidnappers had reached out to the family, demanding N100 million ransom.  

“We have been pleading with them, but they insist they won’t release him unless we pay the ransom. We are helpless and need the government to intervene,” Mrs Afolabi said.  

Another protester, Oluwatoyin Arowosafe, said the victims were surveyors working under the supervision of a high chief in the Akure community. 

Ms.Arowosafe, however, pleaded with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to tackle the security challenges in the state, saying that many residents were now living in fear.

He stated, “Many of our people were kidnapped, and they are demanding N100 million. They went to the farms, they are all surveyors and workers of High Chief Ijemikin of Akure, Oluwole Omotayo.’’ 

The state police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, could not immediately be reached for comments. 

But reacting to the protest, the special adviser on labour union to the governor, Bola Taiwo, said that the government was on top of the situation, adding that insecurity in the state would soon be surmounted. 

“We are aware that you have reported to the security agencies, particularly the police. But let us assure you that the state government is not resting on the security challenges,” Mr Taiwo said.

The latest abduction added to the growing cases of kidnappings, killings and armed robbery in the state. 

Last week, a farmer and his manager were attacked and abducted while returning from their farm in Osi, Oba-Ile area.

In January, five farmers were shot dead by bandits masquerading as herdsmen in the Ajegunle-Powerline community of the Akure North LGA.