Protests Erupt in Ondo Community After Businessman Killed, Woman Abducted

Tensions flared in Ayede Ogbese, a community in Akure North Local Government Area, as angry youths took to the streets on Friday to protest the growing insecurity in the area, following the killing of a local businessman and the abduction of a female trader.

The unrest came less than 24 hours after suspected gunmen shot dead Okudili Okoro, a prominent local businessman, and kidnapped Mrs. Orogun, a trader in the community.

In response, demonstrators blocked the busy Ayede Ogbese highway for several hours, forcing motorists to abandon the main road and seek alternative routes through bush paths. The protest brought traffic to a standstill and left many travellers stranded.

Protesters, mostly youths, expressed frustration over what they described as the government’s and security agencies’ failure to protect lives in the community.

“We no longer have security in Ayede Ogbese,” said a youth leader identified as Justina. “It’s the community youths who now patrol and watch over the area. This is not how it should be. Yesterday, one of our own was killed, and a woman was taken. What are the police doing here?”

Another protester accused security personnel of ignoring the plight of the community, claiming that kidnappers continue to operate freely due to inadequate policing and poor infrastructure, especially the deteriorating road conditions.

The protest turned the usually quiet highway into a tense and chaotic scene, underscoring the deepening frustration of residents in rural Ondo communities grappling with rising violence and insecurity.

In an attempt to calm the situation, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, addressed the protesters, assuring them that the perpetrators behind the killing and abduction would be brought to justice. He also promised intensified police operations in the area and gave assurances that Mrs. Orogun would be rescued safely.

However, many of the protesters remained unconvinced. “We’ve heard these promises before, yet the killings and kidnappings continue,” one youth remarked.

The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations across Ondo State, as rural communities demand stronger security measures and more accountability from authorities.