University Student Kidnapped in Ondo Amid Communal Tensions

A 300-level Computer Engineering student of Al-Hikmah University, Igbaja in Kwara State, Akindoyo Gideon, has reportedly been kidnapped.

Gideon was kidnapped while working inside his father’s cassava farm at Lumeko village, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State. The motorcycle he rode to the farm was found by a search team.

It is suspected that Gideon might have been abducted due to the lingering communal crisis between Irele and Igbobini communities. The Senate secretariat of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have appealed to security agencies to help find Gideon.

The student body said in a statement:
“Information gathered from the National President of Irele Local Government Students and a community leader, Dr. Adekugbe Erik, said Gideon traveled home to gather foodstuffs from his community, only to be abducted while working on his father’s farm.

“The community leader reported that the student’s disappearance coincided with an attack by the Igbobini community, resulting in destroyed homes and properties.

“We categorically demand that the leadership of both Irele and Igbobini communities produce the student, either dead or alive, within the next 72 hours. Failure to do so will compel us to relocate the NANS secretariat to the affected communities, where we will remain until the student’s safe return is secured.”

Mother of Gideon, Mrs. Janet Akindoyo, also said: “He has not returned. The search party saw his motorcycle where he parked it, but we haven’t seen him. I’m appealing to the security and the people to help find him.”

Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, said policemen have been deployed to the forest in search of the missing student.