Vehicular movement along the busy Akure-Owo Highway in Ondo State came to a standstill on Tuesday as residents of Ilu-Abo and surrounding communities in the Akure North Local Government Area barricaded the road using the corpse of a kidnapped victim.

The protest, sparked by the worsening security situation along the corridor near Akure Airport, highlighted the residents’ frustration with incessant killings and kidnappings in recent months.

The corpse of a middle-aged man, reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, was placed in the middle of the highway, halting traffic and creating gridlock along the major route connecting southern and northern Nigeria.

The residents, mostly youths, vowed to maintain the blockade until the government took concrete action to address the insecurity. They cited a recent incident in which the secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area under Akoko North West LGA was kidnapped on his farm along with two others.

Armed with placards, the protesters called for urgent government intervention. Some of the inscriptions read: “We Are Dying, Save Our Soul”, “Mr Governor, Please Assist Us”, and “Our Children Are in Danger and We Cannot Go to Farms Again”.

The residents insisted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa personally address their concerns, stressing that farming and daily life had become impossible due to insecurity.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, intervened, urging the protesters to allow traffic to resume. Despite his assurances that security agencies—including the Amotekun State Security Network and the police—would strengthen protection in the area, residents initially refused to vacate the highway.

Lawal also visited the monarch of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, briefing him on the measures being deployed, including additional police personnel and tactical units, to curb the insecurity in the town.