Residents of Ilu-Abo community in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday staged a protest following the killing of a man and the abduction of three others by suspected gunmen along the Akure Airport axis.
The protesters blocked the Akure–Owo Airport Road with logs, tyres and other materials, causing a major disruption to traffic and leaving many motorists stranded for several hours.
The demonstration came barely a day after a local government official was reportedly kidnapped around the airport corridor, worsening fears about growing insecurity in the area.
According to residents, the latest attack occurred on Monday night when armed men invaded the Ilu-Abo community and fired gunshots, throwing the neighbourhood into panic.
During the incident, one of the victims was shot and later died from his injuries, while three others were forcefully taken away by the attackers.
In response, angry residents took the corpse of the deceased to the road while chanting protest songs and calling for urgent action from the government.
One of the residents who spoke with journalists said cases of kidnapping had become frequent around the airport road and surrounding communities.
“We are tired of this situation. Almost every day now, we hear about kidnapping around the airport road. Yesterday, a council secretary was kidnapped, and today, again, one person has been killed while three others have been taken away by gunmen.
“The government is not doing anything to protect us. People are living in fear, and many farmers can no longer go to their farms,” the resident said.
Efforts by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, to calm the protesters and restore free flow of traffic were unsuccessful as the residents insisted that security in the area must be strengthened.
Lawal later visited the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Olu Falae, where he assured that more police personnel and tactical units would be deployed to tackle the rising insecurity.
