Report of kidnapping in Ogbomoso: No basis for such generalisation

Report of kidnapping in Ogbomoso: No basis for such generalisation

Khalid ABRAHAM

In recent times reports of kidnapping in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, is gaining momentum, giving an impression that the community is under siege and in the throes of kidnapping and other criminal attacks. They are projecting the narrative the town is under the grip of fear over insecurity arising from incessant cases of kidnapping.

But based on empirical evidences nothing of such is transpiring in Ogbomoso or environs. Few days ago, Sahara Reporters, an online medium, came up with a banner headline: “Fear grips commuters as bandits abduct, rob travellers on Ilorin – Ogbomoso highway.” The report gave a sordid account of the happenings allegedly after speaking with victims.

However, independent investigations by ogbomosoinsightonline.com could not confirm the report. If it is true, it would have called attention to the threat but what we have found out negates this. Since the report, security agents have said nothing about it whether in Ilorin Kwara state or Ogbomoso Oyo state. Also the day the news hit the airwaves we spoke with drivers plying the road in Ogbomoso and Ilorin motor parks and they expressed ignorance of the incidents, “Even l just returned from Ilorin, and there was no such incident,” a driver expressed.

Ogbomoso Insight also spoke with security agents and no one could confirm it. This is as no victims have come out to claim he was kidnapped or robbed. We have not heard of demands for ransom money too.

Before that there was a case of a kidnapping also in Ogbomoso area at Aroje in Surulere local government, but it was found to be a kidnapping arranged by the victim to extort money from his family and church. Foolishly, the ransom money was asked to be paid into his personal account. His church pastor confirmed it and was later invited by the police.

Another recent one allegedly involving a young man and his soldier friend in which the young man went missing confirmed by his father could best be described as a case of betrayal by a friend. The two went on a trip but one went missing.

Isolated incidents like these should not be generalised as a city under siege. That perspective is erroneous, it smacks of mischief. It is definitely not a replica of what is happening in Kwara state and.mist of the north. So those isolated incidents do not indicate Ogbomoso is in the throes of kidnapping or robbery.

Ogbomoso remains a safe place like the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III affirmed in a recent statement. Scrutinizing the motive it is obvious the reports are more than meet the eyes. It is to project a narrative of insecurity in the city ostensibly to scare people away from the upcoming Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival. The cultural festival is gaining in popularity across the globe, some interests are clearly disenchanted home and abroad and want it to flop.

They want change, they desire transformation leading to development, but they want things to be done the way it’s done from the time of Methuselah. The Soun birthed the Cradles Carnival only after a year of ascension to the throne with the first edition making a huge impact. That was indeed shocking to the opponents thus they have a scheme to create an atmosphere of fear to frighten away potential tourists.

For the umpteenth time, the situation on ground in Ogbomoso zone doesn’t reflect what’s being purported. Therefore, men of goodwill should disregard the news, and see it as fake, they are mere fabrications and rumours.

Ogbomoso is definitely on the verge of another fulfilling experience. Let’s come around for the Cradles Carnival. The climate is propitious. We are good to go. Moreover only Wednesday morning a convoy of patrol vans bearing dozens of various hues of grim-looking security agents hit the roads in Ogbomoso on patrol. We are good to go.