Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
News  

Okitipupa yam traders seek police protection over attacks 

By Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure
06 November 2015   |   12:44 am
yam traders in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Kiladejo Victor, to save them from incessant harassment by some youths in the town. 

Yamyam traders in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Kiladejo Victor, to save them from incessant harassment by some youths in the town.

The chairman of Yam Sellers Association in Okitipupa area, Mr. Dare Ogunmolu, told journalists in Akure yesterday that their members were frequently harassed and molested whenever they are returning from business trips.

Ogunmolu said the hoodlums often waylaid their vehicles along Ife-Ondo road and demand for outrageous ransom from them before they are allowed to pass through the town.

He said any of the traders that refuse to heed to their demands would be delayed and molested in the process.

“This has become a regular occurrence and source of concern to us. This incident happens along Ife-Ondo road. The youth are not members of NURTW in the area.

“They are hoodlums and touts. They frequently take undue advantage of our members whenever they are returning from business trips. They extort money from us and dispose us of our goods when we refuse to heed to their demands. This has happened on several occasions,” he lamented.

The Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin, in a telephone conversation, said he had no knowledge of the incident.

The Lisa explained further that nobody has come to report the matter to him or the Osemawe-in-Council at any point in time.

He assured that the Osemawe-in-Council would investigate the matter and sanction those that are linked with it to serve as a deterrent to others.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, also said the police has not been informed and advised the yam sellers to lodge complaint with the police in the area for appropriate action.

0 Comments