On high alert: Ekiti fortifies borders against rising wave of kidnappings

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State. Photo: Ekiti State Government House

With kidnappings, bandit attacks and killings increasingly spreading across parts of the Southwest, particularly in border communities of neighbouring states, Ekiti has intensified efforts to safeguard lives and property, writes ABIODUN NEJO Despite sharing borders with states that have become hotspots for bandit attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes, Ekiti State has remained relatively peaceful, with residents largely going about their daily activities without fear across its communities. The state, however, has not been entirely immune to criminal incursions. Isolated attacks in some border communities have continued to keep the government and security agencies alert. One of the most disturbing incidents occurred on April 28 when armed bandits invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, a border community between Ekiti and Kwara states. The assailants reportedly stormed an open-air crusade, shot the presiding pastor dead and abducted about 15 worshippers into a nearby forest. More than three weeks after the attack, security agencies say efforts are still ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims, while their families and loved ones continue to await their return. The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, described the rescue operation as a sensitive security matter, saying details would be disclosed at the appropriate time. Falade said the mandate of the inter-agency bush-combing team operating in the state was to flush out bandits and other criminal elements from border communities and prevent them from establishing footholds within Ekiti. According to him, the team comprises personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, Department of State Services and local vigilante groups. Speaking in Ado Ekiti at the commencement of the second phase of the ongoing bush-combing exercise, the police commissioner said the first phase had yielded positive results. “We carried out extensive bush-combing operations in the affected areas and succeeded in pushing back bandits and kidnappers who were attempting to gain control of communities along the borders with Kwara and Kogi states,” he said. “Following an assessment of the first phase, Governor Biodun Oyebanji approved the continuation of the operation to reassure residents that Ekiti remains safe and secure despite security challenges in neighbouring Kwara, Kogi and Ondo states. “The objective is to enable ou