Monarch recounts traumatic experience in kidnappers’ den

• Calls for improved security in community

The traditional ruler of Oso-Ajowa in Ajowa-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Council Area of Ondo State, Oba Clement Jimoh Omoola, has described as traumatic and horrific his experience in the den of kidnappers.

While narrating the 10 days he spent in captivity, Oba Omoola, yesterday, said what he went through in the forest was indescribable, which made him to keep mum over the incident.

The monarch who is also the chairman of Ajowa Traditional Council of Obas, was kidnapped by gunmen in his palace. He was released by his captors after paying N10 million ransom.

According to Oba Jimoh, his domain was a special area, being a border town with Kogi State, which he said makes the community vulnerable to crimes, hence the need for government to give Ajowa special security apparatus.

He also appealed to the illustrious sons and daughters of the community to invest heavily in providing security for the town.
Oba Omoola called for incentives to be given to local vigilante groups in the community for them to compliment regular security agents.

He urged land owners to register strangers working in their farmlands as directed by Ondo State government and called for establishment of a Divisional Police headquarters at Ajowa.

The monarch also advocated for the deployment of military personnel in the community to further enhance the security system in the area.

Ajowa-Akoko, a border community with Kogi State, had recently been confronted with a number of security issues.

Shortly after the monarch was released, four students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, were kidnapped on December 23, 2022, while on their way to the community by suspected kidnappers who waylaid their vehicle.