The Oyo State Police Command has moved swiftly to de-escalate rising tensions in Ilero town, Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, following the abduction of two women and the gruesome killing of a farmer last week. The community had been on edge, with youths planning protests, prompting a direct intervention from the Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, on Monday.
The two female adults were kidnapped from an agro-products shop in Ilero last Wednesday while on duty, while a farmer was tragically killed at a farm settlement in the town on Thursday. These incidents sparked fear and anger among residents.
Police Commissioner Assures Action, Urges Calm
During a crucial meeting with youths and traditional leaders from Kajola and Iwajowa communities, CP Adenola appealed for calm, urging the youths to cancel their planned protests to prevent them from being hijacked by criminal elements. He assured the community that efforts were well underway to secure the release of the two abducted women.
“We are working hard and hope that the two victims will regain their freedom soon; we have arrested some suspects, and we are getting close to the kidnappers,” Adenola stated.
He emphasized that protests would not provide a solution and instead encouraged collective action and information sharing.
The Commissioner also revealed significant progress in the murder investigation, confirming the arrest of several suspects allegedly involved in the farmer’s killing.
He disclosed that 11 suspects are currently in custody in connection with the attacks, with seven arrested for alleged involvement in the kidnappings and four for the murder. “We are still looking for others and hopefully, we will soon get them,” he added.
To bolster security in the affected areas, the command has deployed additional officers from its Anti-Kidnapping and Monitoring Units to Ilero.
CP Adenola stressed the critical importance of synergy between the police, local vigilante groups, and other security agencies to achieve maximum security in the zone.
The Elero of Ilero land, Oba Wasiu Oyedele, expressed concern over the recent surge in attacks, noting that the town had enjoyed relative peace in previous months. He condemned the incessant attacks on farmers and the destruction of crops, reiterating that the native community is accommodating to all tribes and expects peace from all residents.
Mr. Muhamud Yusuf, the Seriki Fulani in the zone, alleged that many of the attacks were perpetrated by strange herders and other criminals not residing in the host communities. He affirmed the readiness of herders and other non-native residents to collaborate with the police and local vigilante groups to flush out these criminals.
The consultative meeting included key stakeholders such as representatives from the Miyetti Allah group, farmers’ associations, youth leaders, and community leaders. Also in attendance were members of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local hunters, and other security operatives, all committed to finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in Ilero.
