Chief Kehinde, Akogun of Irele Ekiti
A call has been made to governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State to step into a renewed resurgence of banditry in a section of the state
The people of Irele and Ijowa, a sleepy community in Ajoni, Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Ekiti State, are living in perpetual fear as bandits resume reign of terror in the area.
These communities, which had previously experienced a lull in bandit activities following the deployment of Nigerian Army troops, are now facing a renewed onslaught of violence and kidnappings.
It will be recalled that two high ranking traditional rulers were fell by bandits bullet in Ipao, an adjoining community in 2024,:triggering a chase on the criminals after killing another traditional ruler in neighbouring Kogi State
High Chief Abejide Samuel Kehinde, the Akogun of Irele and spokesman of the affected communities, has appealed to Governor Oyebanji to intervene and restore peace to the area.
“We have a situation on our hands where the people of Irele, Ijowa, and Oke Ako are holed up in their communities,” he said. “Cross-border business activities are at a low ebb, and farmers are restricted from accessing their farms. The people are living in fear and uncertainty.”
Chief Kehinde recounted a recent incident where a young man riding on a motorbike with his mother was shot and his mother kidnapped while he escaped with a gunshot on his chest.
According to him, the young man is currently receiving treatment in an intensive section of a government hospital in the state while the mother eventually died ostensibly due to stress in the hands of the kidnappers.
He said the bandits still demanded a ransom of N1.5 million from deceased family for the release of her corpse.
“The confidence with which they now operate is worrisome. They invited the family of the dead woman to show them the corpse and then told them to go and look for the money.
“These bandits now operate with impunity, and the people are miffed with the level of confidence with which they are carrying out their activities,” he said.
The communities are calling on Governor Oyebanji to take swift action to address the situation, citing his previous success in quelling the bandit activities. “We urge the governor to come to our aid and ensure that these bandits are warded off once and for all,” Chief Kehinde pleaded.
