Aiyedatiwa orders Army, Police, Amotekun to crack down on kidnappers
…blames kidnap cases on local collaborators Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed security agencies to launch an immediate and coordinated crackdown on suspected kidnappers terrorising residents across the state.
...blames kidnap cases on local collaborators
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed security agencies to launch an immediate and coordinated crackdown on suspected kidnappers terrorising residents across the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, the governor expressed deep concern over the rising cases of abduction in Ondo.
Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that investigations by security agencies have revealed that some of the crimes were orchestrated with the involvement of local collaborators.
He warned that certain “unscrupulous elements” are deliberately using criminal activities to portray the state as unsafe, stressing that such actions would not be tolerated.
"The government is aware that the unscrupulous elements want to use the criminal activities to portray Ondo State as unsafe. Such acts are unacceptable and will be met with firm and lawful action.
"The government has consequently directed all security agencies in the state to intensify surveillance and immediately clamp down on individuals or groups involved in these nefarious activities.
"Security operatives have been mandated to ensure that those found culpable are apprehended, thoroughly investigated, and brought to justice in accordance with the law," the statement read.
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While boosting of the efforts made so far by the current administration at ensuring security of lives and properties of residents are safe, Aiyedatiwa said that significant investments had been made to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
The governor listed the provision of utility vehicles and other logistics support to security agencies to bolstered the moral of officers at securing the territorial areas of the state.
Others, according to Aiyedatiwa, include the construction of a state-of-the-art Crime Control Centre for the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), and the recent recruitment of 500 well-trained Amotekun personnel to boost intelligence gathering and rapid response operations across the state.
He urged traditional rulers to heighten vigilance within their domains and promptly report suspicious movements or gatherings to security operatives, describing community-based intelligence as critical to combating crime.
"Community-based intelligence remains a critical component in the fight against crime," it added
Aiyedatiwa, however, asked residents of the state not to remain silent in the face of suspicious activities, assuring citizens that the protection of lives and property remains the administration’s top priority.
"If you see something, say something. The protection of lives and property remains the foremost priority of the Ondo State Government, and no individual or group will be allowed to undermine the peace, security, and stability of our dear state."
Ondo had been facing a growing wave of violent crime, particularly kidnapping of residents with attacks escalating from the rural areas to urban centres of the state.
The security challenges have continued to put both the ordinary residents and the elite on edge mostly in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
Last week, Oba Kehinde Falodun, the monarch of Agamo community, was killed by suspected masked gunmen during a failed kidnapping attempt at his palace.
Amid the worsening insecurity, gunmen abducted a couple at their home in Ilu Abo and were released a few days later after their family reportedly paid 5 million Naira as ransom.
Also, gunmen abducted six worshippers from a Celestial Church of Christ parish in Uso, Owo LGA. The victims spend barely a week in custody before their family reportedly raised and paid 9 million Naira as ransom to secure their release.
