Residents appeal to Tinubu, Oyebanji amid rising insecurity in Ekiti North

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Residents of several communities in Ekiti State have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for urgent intervention over an alleged looming bandit attack threatening lives and property.

The affected towns — Itapaji, Iyemero, Oke-Ako, Irele, Ijowa and Ipao-Ekiti in Ekiti North Senatorial District — said recurring kidnappings and armed assaults had heightened fear, forcing many families to live in constant anxiety.

In a joint petition, community leaders expressed frustration over what they described as an inadequate response from authorities, warning that continued neglect could push residents toward self-defence despite their respect for the rule of law.

Signatories to the petition included Abimbola Omotoyinbo and Olubola Adeoye for Itapaji; Tosin Babalola and Chief Kehinde Abejide for Irele; Femi Bodunde for Oke-Ako; Joseph Osanipin for Iyemero; and Bayo Dada for Ipao-Ekiti.

The communities alleged that forests linking Ekiti with Kogi and Kwara states had become safe havens for armed groups, recalling a recent incident in which a woman was reportedly raped and killed, while her son sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Ikole.

A traditional war chief, Chief Kehinde Akogun, claimed residents were forced to pay ransom before retrieving the victim’s body and alleged that four other men were later abducted, with kidnappers issuing demands for their release.

Residents further alleged that armed herders had taken over farmlands and ordered locals to abandon ancestral lands, leaving many without access to basic needs as movement to neighbouring towns became increasingly risky.

While urging the federal and Ekiti State governments to strengthen security and empower local outfits, the communities criticised political representatives for alleged inaction. The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the command had yet to receive full details of the complaint but assured that the matter would be investigated.