.Govt to support local hunters, establish security posts

Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared decisive action against criminals terrorising various parts of the state, particularly Akure North Local Council Area of the state, following a wave of brutal attacks that have left multiple residents dead and heightened fears in communities.

Aiyedatiwa, who described the killings as disturbing, stated that while insecurity remains a nationwide challenge, his administration would not tolerate such acts in the state.

The governor stated this during a condolence visit to the palace of the Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Adegbehingbe Aliu, on Tuesday, as grieving community leaders demanded urgent action against gunmen operating in the axis.

Some communities in the council, such as Igushin, Ilado and Imafon, had in the past few days been faced with insecurity, with a female farmer and her daughter killed as well as the shooting of a young man who resisted an abduction attempt.

Expressing sympathy with the bereaved families, Aiyedatiwa assured that measures were already being intensified to restore calm and safeguard lives and property.

The governor disclosed that 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.

While acknowledging progress in tackling kidnapping for ransom, he warned that the recent spate of killings indicated a troubling shift that must be urgently addressed.

According to him, more than 100 suspected kidnappers have been arrested, detained and charged to court, while operations are ongoing to flush out criminal elements hiding in forest enclaves.

Calling for collective action, the governor, who urged residents, particularly youths, elders, hunters and vigilantes, to cooperate with security agencies, warned against harbouring criminals, noting that such actions undermine efforts to combat insecurity through the leakage of vital information.

Earlier, the chairman of Akure North Local Council, Johnson Ogunbolude, who expressed concern over the attacks, describing them as unfortunate, noted that although the governor was out of the state at the time of the incidents, he remained in constant touch with leaders of the communities and security agencies.

Ogunbolude appealed to residents to support government efforts with constructive contributions.

In his remarks, the Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Adegbehingbe 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. The monarch also criticised the delayed response of some security operatives, alleging that certain personnel operate without adequate weapons.

Similarly, the Ojogbariaka of Ilado, Oba Kayode Ajomale, lamented the inadequacy of existing facilities, noting that a vast area stretching from Familugba to Zone 4, covering about 182 kilometres, is served by only one police station located roughly 12 kilometres away.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, described the attacks as unfortunate, stating that security operatives were familiar with the terrain and had previously conducted bush-combing operations in the area. (edited)