The residents of Iwoye-Ketu community in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State are outraged and frustrated over the recent surge in kidnappings and killings in their area.
Community leaders Semiu Usman-Legitan (Chairman) and Wale Fadipe (Secretary) expressed their concerns and pointed to criminal elements among foreign nationals living in the community as the masterminds behind the attacks.
The community leaders alleged that these attackers recently killed Kabiru Ogunrinde, who was accompanying the police to a crime scene.
Additionally, Eric Adekanmbi was killed just three days ago while trying to secure the release of a kidnapped victim.
The community is calling for urgent attention to address the rising insecurity and protect the lives of residents.
The recent surge in kidnappings and killings has created a climate of constant fear and uncertainty among the residents of Iwoye-Ketu, a border community.
According to a statement released by community leaders, the situation has rapidly deteriorated in recent months, with the community becoming a hotbed of violent crimes, including kidnappings and killings.
The statement attributes these heinous crimes to members of the Fulani ethnic group, who have settled in the community and shown disregard for human life, attacking and killing residents at the slightest provocation. The frequency and brutality of these attacks have instilled fear and anxiety among the people.
The community’s proximity to the border has made it vulnerable to infiltration by criminal elements, who exploit the porous borders to perpetrate their crimes.
The statement emphasizes the urgent need for attention to address the rising crime and violence in the area.
The geographical location of Iwoye-Ketu, a border community, has worsened the security situation, necessitating immediate and decisive action. This month alone, the community has experienced three kidnapping incidents, which are part of a larger campaign of terror.
The relentless attackers have left a trail of bloodshed and sorrow, putting the community under siege. The threat to lives and properties has never been more severe, claiming the lives of many young men.
Despite engaging with security agencies and submitting petitions, including one regarding the killing of Adekanmbi, no arrests have been made. The community is calling for swift intervention from Governor Dapo Abiodun, relevant government agencies, and International organizations to prevent further bloodshed.
The community has also refuted a YouTube video alleging that the regent, Enoch Alaye, and the Divisional Police Officer of Imeko are colluding with the Fulani group and supporting the killings, stating that the allegation is entirely unfounded and false.
