The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to strengthen security presence in communities within Ekiti North I Federal Constituency following a surge in kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes in the area.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
While presenting the motion, Rotimi drew attention to what he described as an increasing wave of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks across several communities in Ekiti North I (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency, particularly in Oke-Ako, Ipao, Irele, Itapaji, Iyemero and Ijowa areas of Ikole Local Government Area.
He said, “The House notes the recent reports of kidnapping incidents along the Oke-Ako/Ipao/Irele corridor where criminal elements operating from nearby forests have abducted residents, farmers and travellers, thereby creating widespread fear and insecurity among the local population.
“We are aware of a particularly disturbing incident in late February 2026 in which a middle-aged woman was reportedly abducted, sexually assaulted and killed by kidnappers in the Ajoni area, after which the perpetrators allegedly demanded a ransom of ₦1.5m together with illicit drugs and other unusual items before releasing the victim’s remains.”
The lawmaker lamented that during attempts by members of the community to negotiate or deliver ransom related to the incident, “additional individuals were reportedly abducted by the same criminal group, further escalating tensions and insecurity within the affected communities within Ekiti State.”
Rotimi also highlighted attacks on farmers in the Irele axis, noting that several residents had been abducted while working on their farmlands.
He said, “An elderly woman popularly known within the community as ‘Mummy Isaac’ was reportedly killed during an attack.”
The lawmaker further informed the House that some victims had been held captive for long periods, including a resident of Oke-Ako who reportedly spent about two weeks in captivity before regaining freedom in February 2026 after being moved across state lines.
He warned that armed criminal groups have become increasingly entrenched in the forests surrounding the affected communities.
He said, “The House observes that the communities of Itapaji, Iyemero, Oke-Ako, Irele, Ijowa and Ipao have reported that armed criminal groups have effectively occupied surrounding forests and rural routes, using these locations as operational bases for kidnapping and attacks on residents.
“The forests along the Ekiti–Kogi–Kwara border corridor have increasingly been exploited by criminal groups as hideouts from which attacks are launched on rural communities, thereby complicating security operations and allowing perpetrators to evade arrest.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies, to immediately intensify security operations in Oke-Ako, Ipao, Irele, Itapaji, Iyemero and neighbouring communities in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The House also called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to coordinate a joint security operation involving federal security agencies to identify and dismantle criminal camps operating in forests around the Ekiti–Kogi–Kwara border axis.
In addition, lawmakers mandated the House Committees on Defence, Army, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to engage with relevant security agencies to determine the steps being taken to address the situation and report back within four weeks.
They also urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and surveillance in the affected communities and surrounding forests to prevent further attacks.
In recent months, several rural communities in northern Ekiti have experienced a sharp rise in kidnappings and violent attacks, particularly in areas bordering neighbouring states.
Communities within Ikole Local Government Area have been among the most affected, with farmers, traders and travellers frequently targeted by criminal gangs.
Security analysts and community leaders have linked the worsening insecurity to the large forest belts stretching across the boundaries of Ekiti, Kogi State and Kwara State.
These forests have reportedly become safe havens for armed groups who carry out attacks on rural settlements and highways before retreating into the difficult terrain.
Residents of the affected communities have repeatedly expressed concern over the inadequate security presence and the vulnerability of farmers who must travel long distances through isolated rural routes to reach their farmlands.
The situation has also heightened fear among residents and disrupted economic activities in many agrarian communities where farming remains the primary source of livelihood.
