…Police arrest 11 suspects, deploy anti-kidnapping team
Tension has gripped residents of Ilero town in the Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State following the abduction of two women and the gruesome killing of a farmer by suspected gunmen.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the two victims were abducted on Thursday while working at an agro-products shop in the town, triggering widespread fear and a protest by angry youths demanding the expulsion of suspected Fulani herders from the community.
The incident, which occurred at a farm settlement on the outskirts of the town, has since sparked outrage among residents who say their community has come under repeated attacks.
In response, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Johnson Adenola, confirmed the abduction and killing, assuring residents that the police were working tirelessly to ensure the release of the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Adenola, who spoke during a security meeting with youth leaders, traditional rulers, and stakeholders from Kajola and neighbouring Iwajowa, revealed that 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attacks.
He disclosed that seven of them were being held for alleged involvement in the kidnapping, while four others were arrested over the murder of the farmer.
“We are making progress in our investigations. We are hopeful that the two women will regain their freedom soon. Protests are not the solution; they can be hijacked by criminal elements. We need to collaborate, share intelligence, and protect our communities together,” Adenola said.
The police boss disclosed that additional operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping and Monitoring Units had been deployed to the area to enhance surveillance and deter further attacks.
The Elero of Ilero, Oba Wasiu Oyedele, lamented the growing insecurity, stating that the community, which had enjoyed months of relative calm, was now thrown into mourning and panic.
He condemned the attacks on farmers and the destruction of crops, often attributed to suspected herders, warning that continued violence could tear apart the peaceful coexistence the town had long upheld.
“We are a peaceful and hospitable people. But we cannot continue to live under fear. Our farmers are being attacked and their livelihoods destroyed. We want peace, but we also want justice,” the monarch said.
Speaking at the meeting, the Seriki Fulani in the area, Alhaji Muhamud Yusuf, dissociated responsible herders from the attackers, claiming that most of the perpetrators were strange elements who had infiltrated the area.
Yusuf pledged the support of the Fulani community in working with security agencies and local vigilante groups to fish out the criminals.
“We are ready to cooperate. The people committing these crimes are not from among us. They are strangers who must be stopped,” he added.
As of press time, the abducted women remain in captivity, while the police have continued their operation to rescue the victims and apprehend other suspects still at large.
The protest by youths, which was initially planned to demand justice, was suspended following the police commissioner’s appeal for calm and collective action to address the security challenges.
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