Prominent figures from Ogbomoso geo-political zone in Oyo State have read the riot act to non-state actors wreaking havoc in the zone.
This is as the elders vow to stop the recent kidnapping of the locals. No fewer than three cases of abduction have been reported in the zone within one month.
The latest incident is that of Miss Opadele Rachael Abiola, a final year student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso and a hotel owner, Mr. Olugbenga Owolabi. They were killed by their abductors after a sum of N5m was paid as ransom.
Reacting to the menace, the elders, under the platform of Ogbomoso Consultative Council (OCC), said the would no longer fold their arms and watch kidnappers unleash terror on their people.
The council, led by Major General Oladayo Popoola, Justice Afolabi Adeniran (rtd) and Dr. Saka Balogun, said that the indigenes have now decided to form a joint security team to tackle the menace.
In collaboration with youths under the aegis of the Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum (OCYF), they added that the patrol team consists of the military, the police, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local hunters, Odua People Congress (OPC) and ex-servicemen.
“We can’t be in deep slumber or reduce ourselves to mere lamentations like weaklings while terrorists prowl on our land.
“Subsequently, a joint security patrol team comprising the military, the police, DSS, Civil Defence Corps, local hunters, OPC and ex-servicemen will be put in place to undertake intensive patrol, efficient intelligence gathering and effective surveillance, across the five local government areas in Ogbomoso zone towards beefing up security and forestalling future occurrences.
“We assure our people that all bad eggs, perpetrators and collaborators will be brought to book.
“The security awareness rally is scheduled as follows: Date. Monday, August 8, 2022. Venue Takie Square. Kick off time. 9:00 a.m.,” they stated.