The Southwest security outfit, Amotekun Corps, has firmed up security strategies to counter the rising activities of criminals, especially kidnappings, in the zone.
Some of the measures are an intensification of monitoring of crime-prone places like forests and improved collaboration with other security agencies.
Ekiti State Commandant of the Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe and Osun State Field Commander of the outfit, Amitolu Shittu revealed the measures amid reports on the kidnap of a Catholic cleric in Ekiti State and the threat by abductors to kill the two Osun farmers in their custody.
The farmers were kidnapped along the Ile-Ogbo/Ede Road in Ayedire Local Government Area last week while returning from their farms.
The kidnappers first demanded N250 million, but reduced it to N10 million last Friday. They also gave till yesterday for the ransom to the paid.
A member of the kidnapped farmers’ family, who declined to give his name said: “The abductors are threatening to kill the farmers. We told them we have raised N5 million, but they said the ultimatum they gave us has expired and therefore, they would kill them if we don’t raise more money.”
Amotekun Field Commander Shittu, who assured the people of adequate security of lives and property, said: “My men are on the red alert over the recent kidnappings in the state. We are collaborating with other security to rescue the victims.”
He also asked for logistics support from Governor Ademola Adeleke, to enable members of the outfit to do more.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Kehinde Adeleke, also promised greater security on farmlands across the state.
Fifty-one-year-old wife of a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited top shot, Oluwatoyin Ojo, was earlier kidnapped at her residence in the Landero area of Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
In Ekiti State where Rev. Father Olofinlade was at the weekend kidnapped between Itaji and Omu-Ekiti, Amotekun boss, Komolafe, said the corps and security agencies were working jointly to get to the root and sweep the forests clean of the gunmen.”
His words: “Amotekun operatives embark on constant monitoring of the forests as well as special operations there to flush out criminal elements.
“We rely on intelligence; we go on regular patrols, both on our own and with other security agencies. We don’t want to be reactive; we want to be proactive, and that is what we are doing.”
He added that security agencies were “spiritedly making frantic efforts to ensure his (Olofinlade) early release as well as to apprehend the abductors.”
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, condemned the kidnapping of the cleric.
Ajakaye, in a statement by the Director of Social Communications for the Diocese, Rev Father, Anthony Ijasan, solicited prayers for the victim’s release.
Olofinlade, who is the Parish Priest of St, George Catholic Church, Omu-Ekiti in Oye Council Area of Ekiti was abducted on Saturday between Itaji and Omu-Ekiti about 4km from his base
He added that Olofinlade that the abductors of Olofinlade who is the Parish Priest of St, George Catholic Church, Omu-Ekiti in Oye Council Area of Ekiti, had yet to make contact with the Diocese.
“While waiting for the abductors to make contacts with the Diocese, we solicit your prayers for the quick and safe release of Fr Olofinlade for him to return to his pastoral duty post,” the statement read in part.:
In Ogun, where 10 persons were killed and 10 kidnapped in the last four months, the Police Command assured that it would not relax in tackling insecurity in the state.
It said there has not been any case of attack or kidnapping since the arrest of a six-man gang that was responsible for the incidents in the past.
The Nation
