The tranquility of Ondo State, Nigeria, was recently shattered by a series of violent attacks attributed to suspected bandits and herdsmen, prompting the state government to take decisive action to restore peace and security. The attacks, concentrated in the Akure North Local Government Area, resulted in the tragic deaths of numerous farmers and sparked widespread fear and unrest among the local population. In response to these escalating security challenges, the Ondo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, established a joint security task force comprising various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps.
The primary objective of this newly formed task force is to address the security concerns plaguing the state, particularly in the remote areas of Akure North where the recent attacks occurred. The task force is charged with restoring normalcy to the affected communities and ensuring the safety of residents, especially farmers who have been targeted in these attacks. Akogun Adeleye, the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, reassured the public that the government is committed to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of its citizens, emphasizing their ability to resume their farming activities without fear. The government’s commitment extends beyond immediate intervention, with plans to improve road infrastructure in the affected areas to facilitate swift emergency response in the future.
The recent attacks, which took place in communities like Aba Oyinbo, Ademekun, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Aba Alajido, claimed the lives of several farmers, triggering protests and calls for enhanced security measures. The Amotekun Corps, in collaboration with other security agencies, launched an extensive operation to apprehend the perpetrators and restore order. These efforts resulted in the arrest of a significant number of suspects allegedly involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state’s forest reserves.
The Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adeleye, provided details about the ongoing security operations and the arrests made. He confirmed that the joint task force has successfully restored normalcy to the affected communities, including Ago Oyinbo, Ago Dada, Ago Ademekun, Ago Sunday, and their environs. To prevent future attacks and maintain long-term stability, the government has directed the establishment of Amotekun posts as control points in these remote areas, ensuring a continuous security presence even after the withdrawal of the current joint patrol team.
Adeleye highlighted the scale of the security operation, revealing the arrest of at least 32 suspected kidnappers operating within the state’s forests. These arrests, made across four local government areas – Akure South, Akure North, Ose, and Akoko North-East – demonstrate the commitment of the security forces to combating crime and protecting the citizens of Ondo State. The suspects are currently undergoing various stages of interrogation, and the information gathered will be crucial in further investigations and efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.
In addition to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, the Amotekun Corps paraded a total of 58 individuals apprehended for various offenses. The recent killings in Akure North prompted a sustained security presence in the area, with officers from all security agencies, including Amotekun, patrolling the affected communities. The government’s multi-pronged approach, combining immediate intervention with long-term security measures, aims to address the root causes of insecurity and foster a safe and stable environment for all residents of Ondo State. The establishment of the joint task force, the deployment of security personnel, the arrest of suspects, and the planned infrastructure improvements demonstrate the government’s resolve to protect its citizens and restore peace to the troubled communities.
