Angry residents of Isua-Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest over the persistent killings and abductions rocking the community.
The protesters, comprising youths and other indigenes, marched through parts of the town, condemning the growing insecurity which they said had plunged the once peaceful agrarian settlement into panic.
Speaking at the protest ground, the Youth President of Akoko South-East Local Government, Hon. Umoru Kamoru, lamented that the spate of attacks had paralysed economic activities, particularly farming, which remains the major occupation of the people.
He said many residents now hesitate to visit their farms or carry out business transactions for fear of being attacked by criminal elements.
Kamoru called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently deploy more security operatives to the troubled community, stressing that the crisis was assuming a dangerous dimension.
He revealed that another resident was allegedly macheted earlier on Tuesday, worsening tension in the area.
In his remarks, the Youth President of Isua-Akoko, Mr. Abimbola Oluwafemi, appealed to authorities at both the state and federal levels to take decisive action to restore calm.
He further alleged that a separate killing was recently recorded in nearby Ipe-Akoko, adding that the protest was triggered by the death of a youth leader who was reportedly killed after ransom had been paid to secure his freedom, a development that ignited anger among residents.