Some women from Oke-Ere, a remote community in Yagba West local government area of Kogi State, on Monday protested against frequent kidnappings and worsening insecurity in the area.
A member of the community told LEADERSHIP that kidnappings in the area have become a daily affairs, stressing that the people have become helpless while calling on the security agencies and the state government to come to their aid.
The source added that an unnamed former kidnapper came out publicly to denounce kidnapping and went further to mention the names of some natives who were part of the kidnap gang.
He maintained that the surprise connivance of the natives with outsiders to cause them pains, and their continued denial prompted the women to stage the protest.
“While those natives continue to deny the allegation, the women decided to protest,” the source said.
The names of the repentant kidnapper and their native collaborators were however not given.
However, in a swift reaction, the chairman of the local government, Tosin Olokun dismissed this narrative, instead said the women that came out in their numbers were partaking in an annual occurrence.
Olokun said their outing had nothing to do with kidnappings or violent crimes in the area.
The LG chairman noted that the procession by the women was with the knowledge of the chief of the community, the Elere of Ere.
He added that proper permission was obtained from the council before the procession by the women.
Speaking on behalf of the chairman, Supervisory Councillor for Special Duties and Education, Hon Femi Adeyeye, who was also in charge of the security in the LGA, called on the public to disregard the reported protest.
“The women usually come out every year as a tradition to pray for the community and rain curses on the people who may be disturbing the peace of the community,” he said.
According to him, the council has been waging war against crimes and criminality in the area, dismissing the issue of women protesting against kidnappings in the area as far from the truth.
“I can send the video to you to see and get the interpretation. There was nothing like protest. What happened three days ago is a normal yearly assemblage of women who pray for the peace of the community,” he added.
LEADERSHIP recalls that kidnapping and other violent crimes have become resurgent in Kogi West Senatorial district in recent time.
Last month, the people of Oduape community in Kabba Bunu local government area of the district staged a protest against kidnappings and killings in the area.
The protesters also called on the state government and security agencies to come to their aid, saying they can no longer live safely in their homes.
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