Terror and anxiety gripped the people of Ondo State after the shocking abduction of nine surveyors in Ilu-Abo, a community in Akure North Local Government Area. Days of uncertainty and emotional turmoil finally ended when the victims regained their freedom after their captors received a ransom payment of N20 million. This latest incident highlights the deepening security crisis in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative criminal enterprise, leaving citizens in a state of perpetual fear.
The release of the abducted surveyors was confirmed by Ajibade Owolanke, brother to the Ejemikin of Akure, High Chief Oluwole Omotayo. According to Owolanke, the victims were set free on Tuesday night after their families successfully gathered the ransom money. The kidnappers, who initially demanded N100 million, later reduced their demand to N50 million after intense negotiations. However, after days of distress, the families were able to raise N20 million, which ultimately secured the freedom of their loved ones.
This harrowing ordeal underscores the growing insecurity in Ondo State and other parts of Nigeria, where kidnappings have become a near-daily occurrence. Armed gangs, often operating with military-grade weapons, continue to terrorize communities, targeting both high-profile individuals and ordinary citizens for ransom. The abduction of the nine surveyors was particularly alarming because they were simply carrying out their professional duties when they were taken hostage. Their plight resonated deeply with the public, further fueling concerns about the safety of workers and professionals in Nigeria.
The atmosphere in Akure turned even more tense on Tuesday as women took to the streets in a massive protest against the rising cases of kidnappings and killings in the state. Clad in black attire, the protesters voiced their anger and frustration, demanding immediate action from the government to curb the worsening security situation. The women, many of whom have lost loved ones to kidnappers, lamented that their lives and businesses are now at the mercy of criminals who operate with impunity. They called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to deploy more resources to tackle the growing threat of abductions in the state.
Despite repeated promises by government officials to address the kidnapping epidemic, little progress has been made. Communities across Ondo and other states continue to live under the shadow of fear, with many residents forced to pay huge ransoms to secure the release of abducted family members. The economic toll has been devastating, as businesses suffer from the impact of heightened insecurity, and professionals now fear for their safety while going about their daily work.
Security analysts warn that the unchecked rise in kidnappings is a direct result of weak law enforcement and a lack of swift, decisive action against criminal elements. They argue that the government must take a more aggressive stance, including deploying advanced surveillance technology, increasing security personnel, and enhancing intelligence-gathering mechanisms to dismantle these criminal networks. Without immediate intervention, Nigeria risks becoming even more vulnerable to organized crime, with kidnappers becoming bolder and more ruthless in their operations.
As the freed surveyors reunite with their families, the trauma of their ordeal will likely linger for a long time. Many victims of kidnapping in Nigeria suffer long-term psychological distress, struggling to move past the terror they experienced in captivity. The authorities must not only intensify efforts to prevent future kidnappings but also ensure that victims receive adequate support to heal from their traumatic experiences.
The latest incident in Ondo is a wake-up call to both state and federal governments that urgent action is needed to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security system. If kidnappings continue unchecked, more innocent lives will be disrupted, families will be devastated, and communities will remain trapped in fear. The people of Ondo, like many across the country, are demanding real solutions, not just words. The time for action is now.
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