By Gbenga Sodeinde
The people of Kajola- Ise in Ise Ekiti are currently living in fear as unknown men continue to carry out attacks on people of the community unabated.
A visit to the community on wednesday confirmed that farmers were unable to access their farms for fear of being kidnapped or killed by the rampaging bandits.
According to a farmer Olayemi he said he narrowly escaped being kidnapped on 11th of April 2025 as his car was riddled with bullets when he was leaving his cocoa farm.
” I was already driving out of the farm when from nowhere these people came out and started shooting at my car was alread riddled with bullets how i managed to escape is still a mystery to me”
But for Olatunbo he was not that fortunate as the assailants inflicted serious injuries on him and left him for dead he was later found half dead and was moved to Afe Babalola hospital where his brother sola confirmed he is still battling for his life.
One of the community leaders Mr. Bamgboye sesan said said the situation is becoming dicey everyday as the daredevils now operate with reckless abandon.
“At first, it was kidnap cases and they demand for ransom at least about 4 people have been kidnapped in recently but now it seems they are more rejuvenated to attack more and more.
Mr. Sesan said the farmers are now scared to go to their farms to work even as he claimed some of them narrowly escaped kidnappings two days ago.
Another person who spoke on the condition of anonymity said suspected fulani bandits have been terrorising the area for some time and it seems the local vigilante better known as Amotekun seems inadequately equipped to combat the onslaught even as people continue to live in fear.
Other residents who spoke with newsmen said the bad roads linking Ise, Kajola and Ijan Ekiti is contributing to the rejuvenated attacks and spate of kidnapping.
As you can see, the road is more than terrible. It is narrow and the sides are overgrown with thick forest which makes navigation very difficult.
“The security here is porous and despite our pleas to the state government and security agents nothing has been done so far and now we cant go to our farms with peace of mind because they can come at any time a resident who refused to give her name lamented.
When notified of the development, the Ekiti state police public relations officer SP Abutu said the Ise division will be contacted and that the police in the state is mounting efforts to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state.