The attention of Oyo state government on Monday was called to the worsening security situation in Ogbomoso as residents of the town trooped out in their large number to stage a protest.
The protest was a reaction to the recent abduction and killing of a hotelier, Mr Gbenga Owolabi, and Racheal Opadele, a 500L student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
The peaceful protest which was championed by Ogbomoso Consultative Council and Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum started at Takie and moved round the town. The protesters later converge at Soun Ogunlola Hall.
The protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions such as “Come to our rescue before we start self defense,” “Allow us to defend ourselves,” among others.
At the rally, traditionalists, members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Agbekoya, vigilante and other groups said they are ready to give it wherever it takes to stop criminal activities in Ogbomoso and its environs.
A representative of the traditional heads mogajis, and chiefs while adressing the crowd, said they are taking necessary steps on the issue. He also urge residents to coperate with OPC, Amotekun and other indigenous security agencies in their efforts to combat crimes in Ogbomoso.
Some of the personalities who adressed the crowd include Imam Ile Yoruba, AIG Sheu Babalola (Rtd); AIG Ajani (Rtd); CAN Chairman, Ogbomoso; Representative of Chief Imam of Ogbomoso; Iyaloja of Ogbomoso, Lamiju Alao Akala and among others.
In their separate remarks, they said efforts are going underneath to improve on the security of lives and properties in the town, urging residents to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement to the appropiate authority.
Adressing the crowrd, President of Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum, Rev Peter Olaleye, said: “Our ancestors are brave and bold, they were never conquered by any war not even the dreaded fulani war, we will never allow any intruder to take over our land. Enough is enough.”
Some of the protesters said they want the government to fish out the killers of the hotelier and LAUTECH student as well as abductors of people in the town.
OyoInsight