Group Call For Removal Of Commissioner Of Police Following Kidnapping In Ondo State

A group, Sunshine Liberation Front, has called for the removal of police Commissioner in Ondo State, Gbenga Adeyanju, following the level of insecurity in the state which has led to incessant kidnappings across the state.

In the statement released by the group, it slammed Adeyanju, over his alleged involvement in the kidnappings happening in the state.

In the statement signed by the group’s coordinator, Akinyele Akinwale, it claimed that the Commissioner of Police is not doing enough at curbing the menace which has led to loss of lives as well as emotional and psychological trauma for the victims’ families.

The group also claimed that the Governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was insensitive to the crisis.

The statement titled Ondo incessant kidnappings: Sunshine Liberation Front Demands Immediate Redeployment Of Police Commissioner, questions Gov. Akeredolu’s role and monthly security votes reads, “The incessant kidnapping in Ondo state is becoming worrisome and alarming not only to the residents of the state but also to commuters who ply the major roads of the state to other adjourning states on a daily basis.

“We have observed that kidnapping of innocent residents and motorists has now become a lucrative job and business for these criminals who have converted, with ease, the bushes and thick forests in our state to their abode and masquerading as Fulani Herdsmen.

“Many persons have become victims of kidnap for ransom in Ondo state, while family members have also not found it funny in coughing out millions of naira to free their breadwinners from captivity.

“According to media reports, no less than 15 kidnap cases have occurred and reported in Ondo state under two months. This calls for more attention and critical concern and evaluation of the security apparatus and arrangement in the state.

“Just last week, a senior lecturer at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, lost his life while in the den of these dreaded criminals. He was shot several times, with machete wounds all over his body. He was found dead, gagged and tied to a tree with his own cloth. It was also reported that three medical personnel, including a pregnant woman, at the Federal Medical Center(FMC) were also victims and released on ransom after days in captivity. All these took place between Owo and Akure!

“Last month, prominent political gladiators in Ondo State were held by kidnappers on Akoko roads. These men got their freedoms after their families had parted with tens of millions of naira and spending days in captivity.

“Apart from these endless kidnappings which happen mostly on Akure-Owo-Akoko roads, there have been reports of robberies and killings on same route, with no respite and solution in sight.

“The cumulative occurrences and investigations from individuals who have fallen victims of these kidnapping cases in the state, suggest that there is a ‘ring of collaboration’ and connivance between these kidnappers and the top echelon of security agencies in the state.

“This is why we, Sunshine Liberation Front, are calling for the immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Ondo state, Mr. Olugbenga Adeyanju, whose clandestine activities and hobnobbing with the men of the underworld have remained questionable.

“Adeyanju has allegedly been aiding and abetting criminals and their like minds including hoodlums, a good example is that of NURTW thugs, who recently staged an attack on some of the lawmakers of Ondo House of Assembly and journalists who were only carrying out their duties as permitted by the Nigerian constitution.

“Another one is the police boss deep relationship with internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys” who perpetrate all forms of evil in the state including killings of innocent young ladies for rituals, with little or no sanctions on their criminal activities.

“Since his deployment to the state to ensure the maximum protection of lives and properties, Mr Adeyanju has not only flouted the main rules guiding the Force, but has also joined partisan politics by his close relationship with Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other politicians in the state.

“While we are asking the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to wade into the security issues in the state, we are also demanding to know the role of the Governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state, on the rampant kidnappings in Ondo state.

“It is a pity that while the state is on fire, with the constant kidnapping of innocent residents in the state, Mr. Governor is out of the state attending to party affairs, or out of the country coordinating family issues, ignoring the cries of the people for safety.

“Therefore, SLF demands to know, with all sense of sincerity and purpose for a more secured Ondo state, what the Governor does with the monthly security votes amounting to over #400 million a month to provide security in the state.

“We also charge media practitioners in the state to challenge the police with all recognized legal weapons at their disposal to ensure the provision of maximum security for the lives and properties of the people.

“The media, as known and acknowledged by all and sundry, is the fourth estate of the realm and the bridge between the governed and the government. We expect them to perform their job without any fear or favour, and ask critical questions on and about the state of our security in Ondo state.”