Kwara residents desert homes over incessant kidnapping cases, cry for help

Residents of Ibagun-Okelele community have cried out for help and sought collaboration of the Ilorin South, Ilorin East and the Kwara State government to end the incessant cases of kidnapping in Gaa-Osibi, Alagbado, Ilorin South Local Government Area.

Following the constant kidnapping cases, the residents of the disturbed communities have been forced to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere.

The President of Ibagun Progressive Union (IPU), Alh Kuranga Omomeji Morogun appealed to concerned authorities over the incident in a statement issued to newsmen in Ilorin.

He expressed the concern of the people of Ibagun-Okelele community over the spate of abduction of residents of Alubarika, Aleniboro and communities, all in Ilorin South Local Government Area of the State.

He said the fear of his people stemmed from the fact that the Ibagun-Okelele community shares borders with the troubled communities.

While acknowledging the concerted efforts of the State government and the security agencies in nipping kidnapping and other acts of criminality in the bud across the length and breadth of the State, Omomeji urged them not to rest on their oars until the State is totally rid of criminal elements.

Omomeji also urged the people of the community to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to the appropriate quarters.

He sympathised with the people of Alagbado communities over the recent attacks launched against them by the kidnappers.

It could be recalled that a father of three children recently cried out over their abduction by kidnappers in the Gaa Osibi area.

It was learnt that the kidnappers demanded N8m ransom for their freedom.

Ayuba Lukuman Biodun said one of the children was rescued by a vigilante group but the remaining two children are still in captivity with the kidnappers.

Biodun said the N2m he was able to raise after selling his Toyota Camry car for N1.5m was rejected by the kidnappers who insisted that the N8m ransom demanded must be completed before they could release the children or he risked losing them.

However, no fewer than four cases of abduction reportedly took place in Gaa-Osibi, Alagbado communities in recent times.

It was gathered that two adults were reportedly killed by the kidnappers, while five children, three of whom are of the same parent, were abducted by the gunmen.