Ibarapa indigenous students in collaboration with the student body of Oyo State College of Agric and Technology (OYSCATECH) Igboora, yesterday organized a peaceful protest against the state of insecurity in Ibarapa land.
The students, who were led by the Student Union Government president, Mr. Salaudeen Olasunkanmi, chanted songs to show their grievances over brutal killings and kidnappings in Ibarapa area.
The protesters stopped motorists and commuters urging them to read the inscriptions on their placards such as “SAY NO TO KIDNAPPING AND BRUTALITY IN IBARAPA LAND”, SAY NO TO INSECURITY IN IBARAPA LAND “, WHO IS THE NEXT PERSON?” and many others.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria’s correspondent, Mr. Salaudeen Olasunkanmi said students needed to show their concern over the kidnappings and killings in Ibarapaland, calling on the state government to provide more security agents for Ibarapa area.
He added that Royal fathers also had roles to play by furnishing security agents with adequate and reliable information.
Shortly after the interview, the protesters met the Caretaker Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government, Mr. Sharafadeen Olaoniye, who address them.
In his speech, Mr. Olaoniye commended the students exhibiting maturity by making their protest peaceful.
The Ibarapa Central Local Government caretaker boss expressed pains over the brutal killing of one Mrs. Sherifat Adisa, whom kidnappers attempted to abduct, but was later killed near her Petrol filling station at Idere last week.
He said government had mapped out strategies which included closing down of all cattle markets Kaara in Ibarapaland and ordering all commercial motorcyclists as well owners of Beer parlours as not to operate after 10.00 pm in the community.
Mr. Olaoniye promised to convey the protesters’ concerns to the state governor for approval of more security agents in Ibarapa area, urging the students to suspend the protest to prevent hoodlums from hijacking it.
Adejoju Adeyemi