Threat exposure in Ekiti State: Taking clue from the evolving patterns of kidnap-for-ransom
Ekiti State recently has been on the top burner of recurring incidences of kidnap-for-ransom. The sprawling profile of the incidence record is graduating into an ugly phenomenon drawing closer to an albatross. The fundamental necessity to bring the evolving menace under check remains non contestable in the light of observations drawn from the evolving patterns of the menace as observed from other parts of the Country, particularly, the South-South and recently the North-West which have come under the entanglements of kidnap-for-ransom.
Ekiti in the South-West have become exposed to the ravaging inclinations of the kidnap-for-ransom scourge. It has been reported that taking advantage of border porosity, kidnappers have been relocating particularly to the northern part of the State from neighbouring Kogi and Kwara, unleashing terror on the local communities.
In August, a commercial driver was kidnapped along Isan/Iye-Ekiti road in Oye Local Government Area (LGA) of the State. The commercial driver was in the captivity of the kidnappers for four days but was later released after his family reportedly paid N2million. Same August, six travellers were kidnapped by suspected gunmen along Otun/Iye-Ekiti road in Ilejemeje LGA of the State. A sum of N4million naira was reported to have been paid by the families of the victims before their release was secured.
In September 2021, five persons travelling in a utility Lexus 330 Jeep between Ewu/Ayetoro-Ekiti in Ido/Osi LGA of Ekiti State, were reportedly abducted. The victims which were on their way to Lagos when they were accosted by the suspected gunmen believed to be herdsmen, were said to have been released following a ransom of N3million paid. Same September, four rice farmers who were abducted by suspected kidnappers at Ikosun-Ekiti in Moba LGA of the State, were said to have paid about N3million naira for ransom. Also, September saw the abduction of another farmer in Ajipowo farmstead in Ikun-Ekiti, Moba LGA, with the payment of N4million naira reportedly paid by his family.
Early last month, (October), along Ayedun/Ilasha-Ekiti, in Ikole LGA of the State, two spouse preparing for their wedding ceremony were whisked away a few days to their event. They reportedly paid a sum of N2.5million naira for their release after spending eight days in captivity. Same October, two travellers kidnapped along Ayobode-Ikole by gunmen reportedly paid N3million after thorough negotiation by the family with the suspected kidnappers. Same October, eight persons abducted in Itapaji-Ekiti, an agrarian community in Oye LGA, were reportedly released following payment of N4million.
It has become pertinent that the State Government takes clues from the antecedents of the evolving patterns of the menace in other parts of the Country where the phenomenon have turned a thorn ravaging societal fabrics. The threats which the phenomenon pose to socio-economic and political configurations have particularly been noted to bear strings of disturbances unhealthy for cohabitation towards propelling growth and development. It is non negotiable that driving socio-economic development under an atmosphere of intense hostilities of insecurity is a facade. As a detering omen against investors’ confidence, attracting foreign direct investment under such climate is largely far from sight: Hence making the drive for growth shrank with negative entanglements. It has become more important for neighbouring states in the South-West exposed to the risk of the menace, some of which have begun to experience light cases of the scourge, to tighten up security architecture in response against the menace.
