The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared that his administration would no longer tolerate the acts of banditry in any part of the state, saying criminals would be flushed out of the state.
Aiyedatiwa noted that although insecurity was a nationwide concern, his administration remained committed to protecting its citizens.
He stated this on Tuesday during a familiarisation visit to the monarch of Imafon in Akure North Local l Government of the state, Oba Samuel Aliu.
No fewer than three persons were killed last week by some gunmen in the community. Two of the victims were a mother and her daughter, who worked at a poultry farm, and another resident was popular.
Irked by the development, hundreds of residents of the three local government communities of Imafon, Igushin and Ilado last Saturday took to the streets of Akure, the state capital, to protest the spate of insecurity in their communities.
The protesters who barricaded the popular ShopRite junction, a few metres away from the governor’s office, Akure, were chanting various solidarity songs, with leaves in their hands. There was a traffic logjam for several hours on the roads.
Aiyedatiwa, who also condoled the traditional ruler and residents of the community over the loss of the deceased, pledged decisive action against criminal elements operating in the axis, assuring the people that measures were already being intensified to restore calm and safeguard lives and property.
The governor disclosed, ”Security agencies, including the police, Civil Defence Corps and the military, are working in collaboration with local hunters and vigilantes to secure forests and adjoining communities.”
Acknowledging progress in tackling kidnapping for ransom, Aiyedatiwa noted that the recent spate of killings indicated a troubling shift that must be urgently addressed.
“More than 100 suspected kidnappers have been arrested, detained and charged in court, while operations are ongoing to flush out criminal elements hiding in forest enclaves.
“Amotekun posts would be established within the troubled communities to enhance surveillance and improve response time,” Aiyedatiwa disclosed.
In his remarks, the Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Aliu, commended the governor’s intervention, particularly the ongoing road construction, which he said would help address security challenges.
However, he lamented the lack of firearms for vigilantes, noting that it had hampered their effectiveness in combating crimes in the state.
The monarch also complained about the delayed response of some security operatives, alleging that certain personnel operate without adequate weapons.
