Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has pledged a renewed and forceful response to rising criminal activity in parts of the state, particularly in communities affected by recent violent incidents. His remarks came during a familiarisation visit to Imafon in Akure North Local Government Area, where he met with traditional rulers and residents following a deadly attack that left several people dead and sparked widespread public anger and protest.
The governor stated that his administration would no longer tolerate acts of banditry or violent crime anywhere within the state’s borders, stressing that coordinated security operations were being intensified to restore order and protect residents. He acknowledged that insecurity remains a nationwide challenge but insisted that Ondo State would not allow its communities to become safe havens for criminal elements. According to him, security agencies, including the police, civil defence corps and military, are working alongside local hunters and vigilante groups to secure forests and surrounding settlements where criminals are believed to operate.
His visit came days after at least three people were killed in Imafon by suspected gunmen. Among the victims were a mother and her daughter, who worked at a poultry farm, alongside another resident whose killing further heightened tensions in the area. The incident triggered outrage among locals and led to protests involving residents from Imafon, Igushin and Ilado, who took to the streets of Akure, the state capital, to demand stronger government intervention. The demonstrators blocked major roads near key government offices, causing heavy traffic disruption and chanting solidarity songs as they called for improved security in their communities.
In response to the killings and subsequent protests, the governor expressed condolences to the affected families and the traditional ruler of Imafon. He assured residents that government and security forces were actively working to prevent further attacks, adding that more than one hundred suspected kidnappers had already been arrested, detained and charged to court as part of ongoing security operations. He also revealed plans to establish additional Amotekun posts in vulnerable communities to strengthen surveillance and improve rapid response capabilities across the state.
Aiyedatiwa further emphasized that while progress had been recorded in curbing kidnapping for ransom, recent killings indicated a worrying shift in criminal tactics that required urgent attention. He stated that the government was adapting its security strategy to address emerging threats and to ensure that violent groups operating in forest enclaves were dismantled. The governor reiterated that collaboration among formal security agencies and community-based structures remained central to the state’s approach to tackling insecurity.
Traditional leaders in the affected communities have also voiced concerns over the security situation. The Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Aliu, commended the state government’s intervention and ongoing infrastructural developments in the area, particularly road construction projects he said would improve accessibility and support security operations. However, he raised concerns about the lack of adequate firearms for vigilante groups, arguing that limited access to weapons has reduced their effectiveness in responding to armed threats. The monarch also criticized delayed response times from some security operatives, alleging that insufficient equipment has hampered swift intervention during emergencies.
The security challenges in Ondo State reflect a broader pattern of violence affecting several parts of southwestern Nigeria in recent years, including cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and rural banditry. Communities located near forest corridors have been particularly vulnerable, with residents often calling for stronger state presence and faster deployment of security personnel. Authorities have responded with a mix of tactical operations, community engagement and the expansion of local security outfits such as Amotekun, which was established to complement federal security agencies.
Despite these measures, residents in affected areas continue to express fear over sporadic attacks and the perceived resilience of criminal groups operating in remote locations. The government’s latest assurances are therefore being closely watched by stakeholders who are urging sustained action and improved coordination among security agencies to prevent further loss of life.
The governor’s latest commitment signals an escalation in the state’s security posture as it seeks to address both immediate threats and long-term vulnerabilities. Officials say further deployments and strategic adjustments are expected in the coming weeks as part of efforts to stabilise affected communities and restore public confidence in safety and governance.
Ondo State, like several parts of Nigeria’s southwest, has in recent years experienced intermittent security pressures linked to kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery along rural routes, and attacks in communities situated near forest corridors. These difficult terrains have often been described by security analysts as strategic hideouts for criminal groups, complicating surveillance and rapid response efforts. In response, the state government has increasingly relied on joint operations involving federal security agencies and the state-backed Amotekun Corps, which was created to provide localized intelligence and quicker intervention in hard-to-reach areas. Community leaders have also played an informal role in reporting suspicious movements and assisting security patrols, although concerns persist about capacity limitations and logistical constraints.
The latest assurances from the state government are expected to place renewed focus on coordination among all security actors, particularly in improving response time and strengthening intelligence gathering. Analysts note that while arrests of suspected kidnappers have been reported, sustaining pressure on dispersed criminal networks requires consistent operations, adequate equipment, and strong inter-agency collaboration. Residents in affected communities continue to call for enhanced protection, especially in farming settlements and road corridors where attacks have been most frequent. The coming weeks are likely to test the effectiveness of the state’s evolving security strategy, as authorities seek to balance enforcement with community engagement and long-term preventive measures aimed at restoring confidence and stability across vulnerable areas.
Authorities say further security deployments and community sensitisation efforts will continue as part of broader efforts to prevent recurrence and strengthen public trust in governance and safety across rural and urban areas of the state.
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