During the last quarter of 2022, the peace of residents of Ilorin was disrupted by kidnappers who laid siege on some parts of the capital city.
The disturbing activities of kidnappers were pronounced in Oko- Olowo axis of Ilorin west local government area, communities located behind Specialist Hospital, Alagbado in Ilorin south local government and some farm settlements in Asa local government areas.
The state police command also had its share of the unfortunate incident as one of its personnel, ASP Ahmed Yusuf was abducted by gunmen at his Oloje residence in Ilorin on October 11, 2022. The officer was rescued after six days in captivity.
The Alagbado communities whose residents were displaced by the activities of kidnappers are Aseyori, Alubarika and Aleniboro phase II and phase III; all situated behind the popular Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado, Ilorin.
Recall that within one week two residents of the areas; one Alfa Aribidesi and a woman (both traders) were traced to their houses and killed by suspected kidnappers during struggles to stave off the abduction of their children.
The kidnappers, however, succeeded in kidnapping two daughters of Aribidesi and later demanded for N10million as ransom.
Pockets of kidnap cases had occurred in the area, but relations of victims refused to report such cases to the police. In most cases, they gathered money to pay ransom to the kidnappers to secure their release.
Residents of the areas who spoke with me in confidence say,” Most of us have abandoned our houses and relocated to our family houses. Those who have not relocated cannot stay outside beyond 8pm any longer. They live in fear, hoping for God’s protection.”
“The entire Aseyori community, the entire Alubarika community and the entire Aleniboro community Phase II and III, located behind the Specialist Hospital, Alagbado Area of Kwara State, Ilorin, are appealing to Kwara State Government to come to our rescue. The kidnapping and killing is becoming alarming.”
A resident of the troubled Gaa-Osibi community, Alagbado, Ilorin, Lukman Abiodun, whose three children were abducted during the period, told me how he paid the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
” I was able to gather N2million from the sale of my car. But the kidnappers insisted on N8million ransom. This was the reason I had to put up my two houses for sale,” Lukman added.
Disturbed by the development, the president of Ibagun Progressive Union (IPU), Alh Kuranga Omomeji Morogun, while speaking with me in Ilorin, expressed concern of the Ibagun-Okelele community, over spate of abduction of residents of Alubarika and Aleniboro communities; all in Ilorin South local government area of the state.
He said the fear of his people stemmed from the fact that the Ibagun-Okelele community shares border with the troubled communities.
While acknowledging the concerted efforts of the state government and the security agencies in nipping kidnapping and other acts of criminality in the bud across the state, Omomeji urged the government not to rest on its oars until the state is totally rid of criminal elements.
