Residents of Ilu-Abo and neighbouring communities in Akure North LGA of Ondo state, on Tuesday barricaded the Akure-Owo expressway, in protest against rising cases of kidnapping in the area.

The protesters placed the remains of a kidnap victim on the highway as they chanted solidarity songs, a development that worsened gridlock on a road that connects the south of the country to the north.

The residents, mostly youths, said they would not allow vehicular movement on the road until the government addresses the security challenges afflicting communities in the LGA.

They carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘We Are Dying, Save Our Soul’, ‘Mr Governor, Please Assist Us’, and “Our Children Are in Danger and ‘We Cannot Go to Farms Again’, they stressed that the incessant kidnappings have made it unsafe for them to farm or sleep peacefully.

They also demanded that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, address them over the security situation in the area.

Adebowale Lawal, commissioner of police in Ondo, visited the scene and appealed to the residents to allow vehicular movement.

The police boss assured them that he would deploy additional policemen and tactical units to tackle the insecurity.

This protest follows a recent incident on Monday, March 9, where the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area, located in the Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state.

Two other individuals was kidnapped from his farm, which further highlighted the widespread nature of the security crisis in the region.