The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to urgently intensify security operations in several communities in Ekiti State following a surge in kidnappings, killings and violent attacks.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency, Akintunde Rotimi.

Presenting the motion during plenary, Rotimi expressed concern over the growing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks in communities within Ekiti North 1 Federal Constituency, particularly in the Oke-Ako, Ipao, Irele, Itapaji, Iyemero and Ijowa axis of Ikole Local Government Area.

He said criminal elements operating from nearby forests have increasingly targeted residents, farmers and travellers along the Oke-Ako–Ipao–Irele corridor, creating widespread fear and insecurity among the local population.

The lawmaker drew attention to a disturbing incident in late February 2026 in the Ajoni area, where a middle-aged woman was reportedly abducted, sexually assaulted and killed by kidnappers.

According to him, the perpetrators allegedly demanded a ransom of N1.5 million along with illicit drugs and other unusual items before releasing the victim’s remains.

Rotimi further told the House that during attempts by members of the community to negotiate or deliver ransom in connection with the incident, additional individuals were reportedly abducted by the same criminal group, escalating tensions within the affected communities.

He also cited attacks on farmers in the Irele axis, where several residents have been kidnapped from their farmlands.

“In one instance, an elderly woman popularly known within the community as ‘Mummy Isaac’ was reportedly killed during an attack,” he said.

The lawmaker added that some victims have been held in captivity for extended periods, including a resident of Oke-Ako who reportedly spent about two weeks in captivity before being released in February after being transported across state lines.

He warned that criminal groups have effectively occupied forests and rural routes surrounding communities such as Itapaji, Iyemero, Oke-Ako, Irele, Ijowa and Ipao, using them as operational bases for kidnapping and other attacks.

Rotimi noted that the forests along the Ekiti–Kogi–Kwara border corridor have increasingly been exploited as hideouts by criminal groups, making security operations more difficult.

He also warned that the persistent insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands for fear of attacks or abduction, thereby threatening agricultural productivity and local food supply.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to intensify operations in the affected communities.