A security summit held in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State has called for coordinated action to address the rising spate of kidnappings, killings, and violent crimes in the area.

Convened by the Chairman of the local government, Tope Omolayo, the summit took place at Achievers University, Owo, and brought together government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies, and community stakeholders to assess the roots of insecurity and propose long-term solutions.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, were represented by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Security, Olubenga Atiba.

The Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Gbadegeshin Ogunoye III, was among several royal fathers who attended. Representatives from the Army, Police, Civil Defence, Amotekun Corps, and State Security Service were also present.

A communiqué released after the summit by the Planning Committee’s spokesperson, Olatunbosun Oladimeji, and its chairman, Gbenga Olumolawa, listed key drivers of insecurity in the area. These include high unemployment, Owo’s location between two major regions—Kabba (North Central) and Benin City (South-South), weak punitive measures against offenders, inter-agency rivalry, social institutional failure, influx of unprofiled migrants, and unmonitored forests.

To address these issues, the summit proposed the establishment of a well-funded security task force and improved coordination among security agencies.

It also urged government action on youth unemployment and advised traditional authorities against indiscriminate land sales to undocumented individuals.

Notably, it called for a broader cultural response, stating that society must adopt both traditional and practical approaches to address insecurity.

“There should be continuous engagement and a multi-faceted approach to resolving the crisis,” the communiqué read.
The summit coincided with the state government’s announcement of a bill proposing the death penalty for kidnapping.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, said the proposed law aims to deter violent crime and strengthen public safety.

While state-level legal reforms continue, the Owo summit highlights the importance of grassroots mobilisation and community-driven responses in tackling insecurity