Protest Erupts in Ondo as Residents Block Highway Over Rising Kidnappings

Residents of Ilu Abo and several neighbouring communities in Akure North Local Government Area on Tuesday staged a protest over the persistent cases of kidnapping in the area. 🚨

The demonstrators, who began gathering in the early hours of the day, barricaded the busy Akure–Owo Expressway, causing a major disruption to vehicular movement for several hours.

Eyewitnesses said hundreds of residents, including youths and community leaders, took to the road carrying placards and chanting slogans to express their frustration over what they described as the worsening insecurity in their communities.

Many commuters travelling between Akure and Owo were stranded as protesters blocked the highway with logs, tyres, and other objects.

The protesters accused security agencies and the government of failing to adequately protect residents, noting that several abduction cases had been recorded in recent months within the affected communities.

They called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to urgently intensify patrols and operations in the area to curb the growing threat of kidnappers.

As of the time of filing this report, security operatives were said to be making efforts to restore normal traffic along the highway while engaging community leaders to calm the situation.