Ondo govt reaffirms commitment to tackle insecurity amid kidnapping crisis

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Government has reassured residents of improved security operations while urging citizens to support reforms aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.

This assurance was given by the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, during a live radio programme dubbed Public Square on Adaba 88.9FM in Akure.

Ajanaku disclosed that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had largely sustained peace since assuming office and admitted that recent isolated kidnapping incidents had raised concerns in some communities.

He explained that intelligence reports linked the incidents to criminal networks operating within certain areas of the state and indicated that the government is well aware of the issue.

According to him, the government had introduced restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. as part of measures to curb criminal activities, adding that commercial motorcycle operators had also been directed to register within two weeks to enable security agencies identify genuine operators and flush out criminal elements hiding among them.

The commissioner further revealed other measures the government had taken to mitigate insecurity, including the regulation of truck pushing, and ensuring the recruitment of about 500 operatives into the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) to strengthen community-based security operations

He further stated that some of the newly recruited personnel had already been deployed to their communities to boost intelligence gathering and enhance the overall security structure of the state.

While urging residents to support the government, Ajanaku seized the opportunity to appeal to traditional rulers and community leaders to collaborate closely with security agencies, stressing that effective security management requires grassroots participation since criminal elements are often known within their communities.