By Ukana Sanni, Benin.
The following leaders, Akoko-Edo PDP Chairman, Prince Kayode Ogunubi; Senatorial Leader, Segun Saiki; National Leader, Engr. Fred Attah; Hon. Oladele Bankole Balogun, former Federal Commissioner, Public Complaint Commission, and other PDP leaders in Akoko-Edo has called on the Edo State Government and various security agencies in the state to expedite actions to help to secure the immediate release of the kidnapped victims including the pupils of Gloryland International School, Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State, who were kidnapped some days ago along Igarra-Auchi Road.
Following incessant spate of kidnappings in Akoko-Edo, the leaders has urged the police and other sister agencies to increase their presence in the LGA and be more proactive through information gathering.
This they say would help stem the tides of kidnapping in the LGA that is having adverse effect on education and business activities in there.
The call was made at an emergency meeting held by the PDP leaders in the LGA when the news filtered in immediately after the incident.
The leaders said the insecurity in the state is becoming worrisome as some farmers from Ososo, Okpe, Ibillo, Makeke, Ikpesi, and commuters along Ibillo-Igarra road have been victims of this dastardly act.
The leaders said they were more worried over the safety of the kidnapped pupils who have been in the den for some days now without anyone having the knowledge of their whereabouts.
The leaders went on to narrate to our correspondent that the LGA has almost totally fallen into the hands of kidnappers who basically come from Ondo or Kogi States and or Fulanis who disguise as cattle herders.
“There was an instance were after negotiating the ransom to be paid for one of their victims, he was found dead three days later along Ikpesi road. Another member of a family who was given ransom to go and pay to some sets was also kidnapped.
It is something that we have tried to curb using local vigilantes and hunters but as it were, we need the State Government to come to our aid in the LGA, and more security agents to spread across the major roads.
The few we have in the LGA are not enough to cater for the LGA which is very large and one of the oldest in the country. As I speak to you, on behalf of my party, PDP, and its leaders, we don’t have an idea where the little kids and other victims are as their kidnappers have not contacted us. You can imagine what their families and parents will be going through.
“We are using this medium to call on the State Government, the Edo State House of Assembly, the Police force, the army to come to our aid in the LGA.
“In our own little ways; personal and communal efforts, we have been paying and supporting local vigilantes and hunters but for obvious reasons, their effort don’t seem to be enough to curb the growing menace.
“From the way the insecurity situation is going, if not curbed now, these kidnappers who has made it a routine will start evading homes to cart away victims.
We in PDP and as leaders in our respective communities are ready to support whatever initiative that would be geared towards stopping this problem,” he concluded with a saddening resolve.
