Fear Grips Ondo Elites with Kidnapping Cases on the Rise 

Ondo State was once a haven of peace. But this Sunshine State seems to have become a hotbed of fear, thanks to kidnapping cases spiraling out of control, especially in Akure North. The recent abduction of nine surveyors in Ilu Abo Community, particularly, has left residents on edge, with families forced to cough up millions in ransom.

What is most striking about the cases is the audacity of these kidnappers. Operating near the Akure Airport, they’ve targeted everyone—from a nine-year-old child to high-profile individuals. It’s almost as if they’re mocking the system, daring authorities to stop them.

Police Commissioner Wilfred Afolabi has pointed fingers at the unchecked influx of migrants. He has also thrown it out there that the police are stuck using outdated methods, combing bushes with no drones or trackers. Except there is divine intervention, everyone knows what happens when a knife is brought to a gunfight. This just might be why the kidnappers are winning.

Meanwhile, police have arrested ten suspected kidnappers, a rare victory in a war that still rages. Yet, without better technology and stricter border controls, these arrests feel like a drop in an overflowing bucket.

Hon. Derin Adesida, Akure’s representative, has sounded the alarm, calling for urgent action. His plea is heartfelt, but it also raises a question: why does it take a crisis for leaders to act? Shouldn’t proactive measures have been in place long before kidnappers became this bold?

The release of the nine surveyors, after a N20 million ransom, offers little relief. Even this is something of a win for the kidnappers, not the people. Each ransom paid fuels their operations, creating a vicious cycle. Will the government do something with the knowledge that negotiation isn’t a solution but a band-aid?

As Ondo State battles this crisis and people like Adesida call for a united front against this menace, unity shows itself to be a cherished necessity. And while thegovernment, security agencies, and communities are joining forces, it must not be forgotten that this is not just about catching criminals but restoring trust in a system that’s failing its people.