The Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Johnson Ogunbolude, has appealed to protesters in the Ilu-Abo community to avoid violence and embrace peaceful dialogue following recent protests over insecurity in the area.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the council boss urged demonstrators to refrain from attacking law-abiding residents and commuters along the Ilu-Abo–Owo Road, stressing the need to maintain peace while efforts are being made to address the security concerns.
Ogunbolude expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to handle the situation, noting that a recent meeting was held with the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, alongside heads of security agencies and community leaders from Ilu-Abo to discuss strategies for securing the release of the kidnapped victims and ensuring that those responsible are apprehended.
The chairman appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could further escalate tension in the local government area, warning that violence could hinder the ongoing efforts of security agencies working to restore peace.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Akure North, assuring residents that the council would continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has intensified efforts to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state with the establishment of a tactical team base in Ilu-Abo community.
The development followed a visit by the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who addressed protesters in the community on Tuesday while assessing the security situation and engaging with local leaders and other stakeholders.
During the visit, the police chief assured residents that the command was fully aware of their concerns and had already begun implementing measures to tackle the security challenges in the area. He urged protesters to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that security agencies were working to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of lives and property.
Lawal disclosed that a specially trained tactical team comprising anti-kidnapping operatives and other elite units had been deployed to the area to strengthen security operations within Ilu-Abo, Ayede, Ogbese and neighbouring communities.
According to him, the team will operate round the clock, carrying out intensive patrols, surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordinated operations to deter criminal activities and ensure swift response to security threats.
The police command also said it had intensified joint security operations, including stop-and-search exercises, forest combing and intelligence-led raids targeting criminal hideouts and suspected kidnapping networks operating in forested and boundary communities.
Residents were urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing operations, assuring that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The command reiterated its resolve to rid the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes, warning that perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice.
