In a bid to stem the rising cases of Kidnapping in some local government areas, the Aran-Orin Progressive Union in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday presented two new motorcycles to a vigilante group to step up security in the town and the surrounding villages.

The Union also launched funds to strengthen the security in Aran-Orin and other adjourning towns in the local government area of the state.

Speaking at the first Ojude Aran day which held in the town, President of Aran-Orin Progressives Union, Architect Julius Babalola observed the need to strengthen the security in the town preparatory to any incursion by Kidnappers who have been rendering havoc in the surrounding towns for sometime now.

Babalola said, “Although, we have not experienced any kidnapping in Aran-Orin, but we have to strengthen the security in this town and the adjourning villages because the kidnappers and criminals perpetrating other criminal acts have reached some of the neighbouring towns that are very close to us.

“We have heard of kidnapping and removal of eyes and private parts from people in a town that is very close to us. To prevent that from happening in Aran-Orin, we have to empower our Vigilante members, give them incentives so that they can do more and give us more protection.”

While thanking the various age groups who donated the motorcycles and contributed to the security funds in the town, Babalola appealed to the people to speak out whenever they noticed strange people within the community.

Speaking on the achievements of the Union in 2023, the President said that the union had commissioned some culverts and rehabilitated some roads that led from Aran-Orin to Olowonijere and other satellite villages just as it had also rehabilitated the Police Post and the office of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Health Center in the town.

He also mentioned that the Union had carried out repair works on the boreholes provided by both the state and Federal Government to make them functional and supply potable water to the people in the community.

Babalola further commended some age groups that provided solar powered lights for the people and lauded their scholarships, textbooks and school uniform for primary school pupils in the community initiatives.

Speaking on why Ojude Aran day was introduced in the community, the Ojude Aran Union President explained that it was designed as a cultural festival to enable the youth to know the origin and culture of the Igbomina people.

“The Ojude Aran day is meant for the development of Aran-Orin. The cultural night is aimed at the people of the town to meet at least once in a year so that they would know each other while our indigenes who are working in places outside the town would come home and felicitate with their people at home and contribute to the development of the town”, he added.

The notable Yoruba cultural singer, Chief Ajobiewe Aremu, performed at this year's Ojude Aran Cultural night where the Union presented awards of performance to its United Kingdom branch as well as some members who included: Mrs Remi Abolarin and late Dr Emmanuel Adeoye for their contributions to the development of the town.