Ogun fish farmers decry insecurity, seek govt intervention

Fish farmers in Ogun State have decried the growing insecurity in the state, marked by the abduction of residents by armed hoodlums.

They have also called on Governor Dapo Abiodun and the acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to take urgent action.

The farmers, under the aegis of Ijebuland Fish Farmers, condemned the recent abduction of one of their members, Mr Adams Omamegbe, and five women who had come to buy fish at his farm at Alayo Fish Farm Cluster, Agoro, in Ijebu Ode, Odogbolu Local Government Area.

They alleged that Omamegbe and the five women were only released five days later after paying a ransom of N70 million.

The association said the incident has left members fearful, as they do not know who might be the next victim of the rampaging, gun-wielding criminals.

The farmers have therefore called for urgent government intervention to comb the vast forests of the agrarian community and flush out the kidnappers.

Addressing journalists on Thursday at Alayo Fish Farm Cluster, Agoro, the spokesperson of the association, Mr Eko Nicholas, said, “We are here today to draw attention to the deteriorating security conditions in the Ikangba/Agoro axis in particular and Ijebuland in general.

Citizens, including fish farmers, now live in palpable fear, as those entrusted with guaranteeing security seem to have turned a blind eye to the plight of farmers, workers, and the general populace.”

He further explained, “For instance, on Monday, 9 February 2026, at Alayo Fish Farm Cluster in the Ikangba/Agoro axis, a gang of about six armed criminals abducted a fish farmer, a female worker, and three women who came to buy fish.

“The abductors held them in a bush less than two to three kilometres from the point of abduction, negotiated and collected N70 million as ransom, and released them along the Old Lagos-Benin Road, just less than one kilometre from the farm.

“They were freed at night on Friday, 13 February 2026, after five days in captivity. This notwithstanding, the Ogun State Police Command under Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo has maintained a pin-drop silence.”

Nicholas noted that the recent abduction is not an isolated case, citing similar security breaches in the past.

About three years ago, a member of our association from Kajola Fish Farmers Cluster was murdered in cold blood on this same route, very close to Alayo Fish Farm.

“Two years ago, a fish farmer was kidnapped from his farm in Ijebu Igbo on New Year’s Eve, killed by his abductors after a ransom of N15 million was paid, and buried in a shallow grave.

A few months ago, a worker was abducted at a quarry along the Ijebu Ode-Ibadan Road. Weeks later, a poultry farmer in the same axis was also abducted at Iperin village and later freed after his family paid a ransom of N50 million.”

Given this spate of insecurity, Nicholas said residents, particularly fish farmers, now live in constant fear as uncertainty pervades the various fish farm clusters.

“It is against this backdrop of growing insecurity that fish farmers in the state, especially in Ijebuland, are calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun, the new acting IGP, Tunji Disu, and Commissioner of Police Lanre Ogunlowo to urgently come to our rescue.

“We demand thorough investigations into the recent abduction, with a view to arresting, prosecuting, and jailing these kidnappers to serve as a deterrent to others.

“We also call for compensation to all victims, including hospital bills, as they have been deprived of their livelihoods due to the N70 million ransom,” he said.

The farmers urged the police to strengthen intelligence gathering and patrol vulnerable communities along the Old Lagos-Benin Road.

They also called for massive public investments in agriculture and other social sectors to create employment for unemployed youths, as a way of reducing crime.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ijebuland Fish Farmers Association, Mr Okole Lazarus, urged the government to take decisive action to tackle insecurity in the state.

“We have always heard reports of rampant abduction and insecurity from afar, but now it is in our backyard, threatening our lives and livelihoods.

“We sincerely appeal to Governor Abiodun, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the new IGP, Tunji Disu, to act. We want the surrounding forests combed and these hoodlums flushed out so we can continue to contribute to the economy in peace,” he said.

culled from punch