•••Demand Justice For Family of murder of 500 level Student of LAUTECH, American returnee, Others
Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
Business activities were temporarily put hold as residents of Ogbomoso in Oyo state trooped out enmasse in protest against recurrent cases of kidnapping, killing, banditry and related vices in the area on Monday.
The protesters barricaded Ogbomoso-Ilorin expressway, calling on the Federal government to take a decisive steps on how to put an end to the ignoble acts.
They threatened that if the government failed to step up action on the matter, they might be forced to take up arms in self-defence
Decrying the recurring cases of kidnapping in the area, especially the recent gruesome murder of a 500 level student of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Rachael Opadele, an US-returnee, Gbenga Owolabi and two other persons, the protesters submitted that the area is gradually becoming a haven for the criminals.
The protest which was coordinated by the Ogbomoso Consultative Council and Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum, took off from Takie Square.
The protesters displayed placards with different inscriptions such as: “May God console the families of Gbenga Owolabi, Rachael Opadele and Idowu Ajagbe killed by kidnappers; Allow us defend ourselves; Come to our rescue before we start self-defense; The last kidnapping must be the last as well as killings: We must not continue like this.”
They moved round the town and later converged at Soun Ogunlola Hall.
Addressing the crowd, the President, Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum, Reverend Peter Olaleye, said: “Our ancestors were brave and bold, they were never conquered by any war, not even the dreaded Fulani war. We will never allow any intruder to take over our land, enough is enough.”
Other speakers including traditionalists, members of Odu’a Peoples Congress, OPC, Agbekoya, Amotekun, Vigilante said they were ready to give it whatever it takes to stop the criminal activities in Ogbomoso and its environs.
They, therefore, assured the residents that necessary steps have been taken on the matter and urged them to cooperate with all indigenous security outfits in their efforts to combat crimes in the region.
Some of the personalities, who also adressed the crowd, were Imam Ile Yoruba, Retired AIG Sheu Babalola, Retired AIG Ajani, Chairman, Christain Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ogbomoso and others.
They said efforts were in top gear to improve on the security of lives and property in the town.
They urged the residents to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement to the appropiate authorities.