Irate residents took to the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday, demanding swift intervention in the abduction of nine surveyors at Owode Ilu-Abo in Akure South Local Government Area.
The victims, all natives of Akure, were reportedly carrying out their duties at a project site when they were forcefully taken by armed men last week.
Leading the demonstration were distressed family members and concerned citizens, who blocked the bustling Oba Adesida Road, holding placards and disrupting traffic as they urged security agencies to secure the release of the kidnapped workers.
One of the protesters, Comfort Afolabi, whose brother is among those abducted, revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million before suddenly increasing the ransom to N100 million.
“We have been pleading with them, but they insist they won’t release our loved ones unless we pay the full amount. We are helpless and need the government to intervene,” she said.
This latest abduction adds to a troubling surge in kidnappings across Ondo State. Just last week, a farmer and his manager were kidnapped while returning from their farm in the Oba Ile area.
Addressing the situation, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, acknowledged the security challenges confronting the state and admitted that the police force was grappling with inadequate resources to curb the rising crime rate.
“The issue of kidnapping is a serious concern, and we are doing everything within our capacity to address it. However, we need better resources to strengthen our operations,” Afolabi stated.
