Aiyedatiwa Visits Attacked Ondo Communities, Vows Decisive Crackdown on Criminals

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s determination to stamp out insecurity in troubled communities of Akure North Local Government Area, pledging a sustained and coordinated offensive against criminal elements.

The governor made this known during a condolence and familiarisation visit to Imafon, Igushin, and Ilado communities, where recent attacks have claimed lives and heightened tension among residents.

At the palace of the Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Adegbehingbe Aliu, Aiyedatiwa expressed deep sympathy with affected families, describing the killings as disturbing and unacceptable. He referenced the murder of a female farmer and her daughter, as well as the shooting of a young man who resisted abduction, stressing that such acts would not be tolerated under his watch.

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While acknowledging that insecurity remains a nationwide challenge, the governor assured residents that his administration is intensifying efforts to restore peace and protect lives and property. He disclosed that security agencies—including the police, military, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps—are working closely with local hunters and vigilante groups to secure forests and surrounding communities.

According to him, over 100 suspected kidnappers have been arrested, detained, and charged to court in recent operations, adding that ongoing efforts are focused on flushing out criminal elements hiding in forest enclaves.

To strengthen security architecture in the affected areas, Aiyedatiwa announced plans to establish operational posts for the Amotekun Corps, alongside increased military collaboration to monitor vulnerable locations. He expressed confidence that enhanced surveillance and rapid response mechanisms would deter further attacks.

The governor also called for collective responsibility, urging residents—especially youths, hunters, and community leaders—to support security agencies with credible intelligence. He warned against harbouring criminals, noting that such actions compromise ongoing efforts to curb insecurity.

Earlier, Akure North Local Government Chairman, Johnson Ogunbolude, described the attacks as unfortunate and appealed to residents to cooperate with government initiatives aimed at restoring peace.

In separate remarks, traditional rulers in the area commended the governor’s visit but highlighted critical security gaps. While appreciating ongoing road construction projects, they raised concerns over inadequate security infrastructure, insufficient arms for vigilantes, and delayed response from some operatives.

Similarly, youth and community representatives advocated greater empowerment of local hunters, citing their familiarity with the terrain, and called for stronger collaboration with the Amotekun Corps.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, assured residents of improved response to intelligence, revealing that additional personnel had been deployed and that security forces were actively combing the forests.