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Following the recent kidnappings and insecurity facing communities in Ewekoro Local Government area of Ogun State, uncertainty clouds the security of residents and their property in the area.
Chiefs who spoke with our correspondent in fear of the unknown refused to comment on the security status of their Communities.
It could be recalled that gunmen attacked a Celestial Church at Wasimi in Ewekoro, Ogun State in the early hours of Tuesday during a vigil service, kidnapping a pastor and a sunday school teacher.
While police claim to still be on trail of the kidnappers, the victims have regained freedom after a payment of 1million naira and other items were delivered to the kidnappers.
A similar occurrence was recorded on the same axis at Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Ona-Ara, Oju-Irin in Obada Oko after a night vigil held in the church in October 2021.
Three worshippers were kidnapped in the process.
In February 2022, two students of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori in Ogun State, were allegedly kidnapped by suspected gunmen after storming one of the private hostels of the school.
The gunmen, according to a source, attacked the hostel in Afowowa area of the town in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state at about 1am and operated for almost four hours unhindered.
In an interview with PLATFORM TIMES, the Baale of Abata, Arigbajo, Chief Olatunde Oyekunle refused to discuss any security issues relating to the recent kidnappings at Ewekoro.
Oyekunle who disclosed that he is a member of the So Safe Corp at Ewekoro mentioned that although the security at the local Government is tight but then can’t say more than that concerning the security of the local government
He said “I am a member of So Safe Corp, although the security of Abata Arigbajo is tight but then I can’t say much because the security is a delicate issue.
“I actually don’t know you in person, so I can’t talk much concerning the security of the community.
“You know the state of the country, so we have to be careful not to say what will affect us”
Another community chief, the Baale of Egunla Estate, of the same Arigbajo also said information about the security of the state cannot be disclosed.
“I can’t disclose any secret concerning the security of the community to you because I don’t know who I am speaking to”
The Ogun State Police public relations officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi have on several occasions assured residents that security will be beefed up to counter arising threats in the state.
Oyeyemi had also warned religious organisations against night programmes.
He advised that churches should request for police protection if they must hold night services, so as to prevent the abduction of worshippers during vigils.
Recently, Some churches in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have stepped up their security measures after a security meeting was held with religious leaders in the state.
It was further observed that some of the churches apart from strengthening the in-house security measures, they have recruited local security operatives like Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN) and the state owned security outfit, So-Safe corps.
However, as at the time of filling this report there are no information as regards stepping up security in the Ewekoro axis.
