Security Operatives, traditional rulers,political office holders,farmers and community leaders in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State have converged on Ayete to fashion out ways to end kidnapping and banditry in the area
Correspondent Abisola Oluremi, who covered the meeting held at the headquarters of the local government, said it lasted for hours
Setting the tone for the discussion, the various stakeholders on security decried the increase in criminal activities in Ayete and its environs in recent times.
They all opined that without collaborative efforts of the residents, the needed success would not be achieved.
Some residents that spoke with Radio Nigeria alleged that men of the Nigeria Police sometimes took decisions in favour of the suspected kidnappers and bandits.
They suggested that the security officers should rather go into the forest, which is the hideout of the perpetrators rather than conducting stop and search on the major roads
Speaking, a traditional ruler, Elenpe of Tapa, Oba Sunday Titiloye, said it was high time Federal Government took steps on ways to check how people carry about sophisticated weapons without caution.
The Oyo State Commandant of Western Security Network, also known as Amotekun, Rtd Col. Olayinka Olayanju encouraged the residents to give out adequate information that could assist in curtailing banditry and kidnapping in Oyo state.
In a remark, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko assured the residents that the security agency would end banditry in the area.
She equally handed over a pick up vehicle and two motorcycles to Ayete Police Division to enhance its operations.
Three butchers were kidnapped last week in Ayete and were eventually released three days ago after allegedly paying six million naira ransom.
Abisola Oluremi
