Ekiti Elders Lament Insecurity, Seek Release Of Kidnapped Member

The Ekiti Council of Elders has decried the increasing rate of Insecurity in the country, saying it is high time the government changed its approach and tactics on security in the country.

The council while lamenting the insecurity in the country admonished security agents to employ technology to tackle insecurity and capture criminal elements.

The president of the elders council Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi spoke in Ado Ekiti while addressing journalists after the group’s interface with the state Police Commissioner, Mr Adeniran Akinwale and Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana held an update on the kidnap of one of their members, Prof. Femi Olaofe.

Oluwasanmi said the council is concerned about the security situation in the state and worried about the recent kidnap of their member.

“Since 2016 when the Ekin Council of Elders came up with a Memo on the problems of herdsmen in the state, the council has remained gravely concerned about the deteriorating security situation in our state. Despite our proactive measures, including the Security Summit of 2022. The highlight of which was to create awareness on the deteriorating security situation as well as proffer collective proactive measures to stem the trend, the security landscape continues to decline, with incidents of kidnapping and killings occurring across the state.

“Our esteemed member, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, a retired University don and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University was brazenly kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday, 9th July 2024, and remains in captivity as of this moment. This has left us deeply anxious and fearful”.

The Council chairman who appreciated the efforts of the state government and the security operatives, implored all stakeholders to unite to ensure the safe release of the Professor and to eradicate insecurity in the state.

“This unfortunate incident, coupled with the previous tragic kidnapping and loss of our member, the late Chief Abiodun Ajayi, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive structural reforms in the approach to security. We firmly believe that granting state governments authority, especially in security management, is vital.’’