A coalition of young people in Ondo State has voiced strong concern over the rising level of insecurity in parts of the state, urging authorities to respond with urgency to curb the situation.
The group, known as the Akure Youths Coalition, expressed frustration over the increasing cases of killings and kidnappings reported in Akure North and Akure South. According to them, the situation has left many residents anxious and vulnerable.
Their position was outlined in a statement jointly signed by the coalition’s leaders, Ogundipe O’Seyi and Adekanbi Oluwatuyi, on Monday.
The reaction comes shortly after residents of Imafon, Igushin, and Ilado communities staged a protest in Akure, the state capital. Demonstrators took to the streets, blocking a major junction near the Governor’s Office while chanting solidarity songs and carrying leaves, an action that resulted in prolonged traffic congestion.
The coalition noted that repeated security breaches in communities surrounding Akure have had severe consequences, leaving families grieving and forcing many residents to live in fear of further attacks.
The statement read, “In the Igushin community, gunmen attacked a poultry farm, killing a mother and her daughter, while others were abducted. Similar attacks and attempted abductions have been reported in Ilado and Imafon, triggering widespread protests by residents who can no longer endure the recurring violence.
“These incidents are not isolated. They represent a dangerous pattern of insecurity that continues to spread across Akure North and South, disrupting livelihoods, displacing families, and eroding confidence in the safety of our communities. We unequivocally condemn, in the strongest possible terms, these injurious, barbaric, and senseless acts allegedly perpetrated by armed Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers and bandits.
“While thanking the Government of Ondo State for their proactiveness and appreciating Mr Governor for prioritising the security of life and properties of good people of our dear state, however, these incessant killing had overcloud most of the government’s effort. Residents throw caution to the wind and run for their lives in all affected areas as we speak.”
In addition to condemning the attacks, the group urged immediate action, including the establishment of functional security outposts and divisional offices by the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Amotekun Corps across vulnerable communities.
They also emphasized the need for modern surveillance systems, such as drones and real-time monitoring tools, to improve intelligence gathering and response time. Furthermore, the coalition called for the revocation of land allocations linked to individuals suspected of criminal activity.
“We urge the Ondo State Government, all the political office holder, traditional leaders, corporate organisation, opinion leaders and other well meaning concern individual to collaborate as human ingenuity can contrived to continue engaging this crisis with the seriousness it deserves by strengthening collaboration with security agencies, empowering community based security structures, and implementing sustainable, intelligence driven solutions that prioritize the protection of lives,” the group pleaded.
