Market women in Ondo State took to the streets in protest against the abduction of nine surveyors at Owode Ilu-Abo in Akure South Local Government Area. The demonstrators, wielding placards, decried the rising insecurity in the state and demanded swift intervention from security agencies.
The protesters blocked the governor’s office and caused a gridlock in Akure for several hours, urging authorities to secure the immediate release of the victims.
According to reports, the abducted surveyors were carrying out their duties when armed assailants seized them. A market leader, Toyin Arowosafe, revealed that the kidnappers have demanded a N100 million ransom, rejecting an appeal to lower it to N50 million.
One of the protesters, Comfort Afolabi, whose brother is among the captives, confirmed the ransom demand.
Addressing the demonstrators, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Bola Taiwo, assured them that the state government is actively addressing the security situation and working towards the victims’ safe release.
Further developments on the case are expected.
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