The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) has expressed concern over increasing rate of kidnapping in in the outskirts of Ilorin.
The union, in a statement issued by its Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Abdullateef Oniyo and made available to newsmen, said the reported abduction of a middle-aged man in the outskirts of Ilorin on Tuesday, and other similar cases occuring in recent times are threats to the prevailing peace and harmony of the State.
It added that the fact that criminals are facing repeated heat in the south western region,they appear to be trooping into Kwara State in order to continue with their criminality.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Emirs and Obas,Alhaji (Dr)Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, in ensuring the continuous sustenance of tranquillity of Ilorin and Kwara State, the Union urged the Governor and security agencies to do more now that it appears criminals are finding Ilorin fertile for their nefarious activities.
The Union urged the concerned authorities and security agencies not only to ensure the release of the victim but also prevent the recurrence of such criminalities,stressing that we must not allow the “State of Harmony” to be turned into something else.
The statement urged the people and residents of Ilorin and indeed Kwara State to be more vigilant and report any suspected movement to the constituted authorities.
The Union specifically urged traditional, religious and opinion leaders and other sociocultural organisations across the Emirate to work in synergy with the security agencies in order to curb every form of criminality.