Commuters and travelers on the busy Akure-Owo-Benin highway faced hours of delay on Tuesday as frustrated residents of Ayede Ogbese took to the streets. The protesters, primarily youths from the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, blocked the major artery to voice their anger over a recent wave of killings and kidnappings that has left the community living in constant fear.
The immediate trigger for the demonstration was the brutal murder of a young man identified as Ben Daniels on Monday night. Reports indicate that Daniels was riding a motorcycle with a companion, James Unekwu, along Agunla Farm Road when they were ambushed. While Unekwu managed to escape the attackers, the lifeless body of Daniels was discovered by the roadside shortly after, sparking outrage among the locals.
This latest tragedy is part of a worrying spike in violent crime across Ondo State in recent months. The local government area has been particularly hard-hit; only a few weeks ago, on February 18, the traditional ruler of Agamo community, Kehinde Jacob Faledon, was murdered by gunmen. Just days after that high-profile killing, a couple was snatched by kidnappers in the nearby Ilu-Abo community, further stretching the patience of the residents.
During the heat of Tuesday’s protest, the barricades brought traffic to a complete standstill. The protesters did not mince words, accusing the state government of turning a blind eye to their plight. They alleged that despite the recurring nature of these abductions and killings, security agencies have remained largely ineffective in flushing out the criminal elements hiding within the forest reserves and farmlands.
In response to the growing unrest, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered security forces to scale up their operations against those behind the violence. A statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, suggested that some of these crimes might be fueled by internal collaboration. The Governor assured the public that intelligence gathering is being intensified to root out both the perpetrators and their local informants.
While the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the attack on Ben Daniels through its spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi, the people of Ayede Ogbese remain on edge. For many in the area, the promise of “strengthened security” needs to translate into visible safety on their roads and farms before they can truly feel at peace again.
