Local hunters in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State have warned of rising insecurity after suspected kidnappers allegedly sent letters threatening to abduct schoolchildren in several communities.
The hunters said the threat came about two weeks after a petrol station manager was kidnapped in the area and released after a ransom was paid.
Speaking on the radio program Ojukoro on Smash 88.1 FM in Abeokuta, Chairman of the Hunters’ Association in Odeda, Festus Ogundairo, said residents are increasingly concerned.
“It is true that these incidents are not happening only in Odeda, but the situation in Odeda is particularly worrisome,” he said.
According to Ogundairo, the recent kidnapping occurred near a filling station past a secondary school. He said the victim, a filling station manager, was taken around 7 p.m. and freed after a ransom was paid.
He added that reports circulating on social media indicate that armed groups have sent letters threatening to target schools in the local government area and named specific towns and villages.
Ogundairo said security personnel have begun efforts to prevent possible attacks. He appealed to the Ogun State government and security agencies to provide local hunters with equipment and logistics, saying they understand the terrain better.
“We need bullets and good guns to battle these terrorists,” he said. “Even though the law restricts us from carrying sophisticated weapons, the government should at least provide us with the ones we are permitted to use.”
He also requested motorcycles to support patrols in forests and remote communities, and stressed that collaboration between local vigilantes and conventional security agencies is key to tackling kidnapping and banditry in rural areas.
