Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has vowed that his administration will take decisive action against kidnappers and anyone sponsoring criminal activities in the state.
The governor made the declaration on Tuesday during a meeting with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders at his office, where security concerns, particularly the resurgence of kidnapping for ransom, were discussed.
Aiyedatiwa expressed worry over the increasing incidents of abduction in some parts of the state, revealing that one community recorded three kidnapping cases within the last two months.
“Crime is usually carried out by syndicates. Some provide information about people’s movements while others take victims into the forest,” the governor said.
He disclosed that security agencies had arrested about 90 suspects in connection with kidnapping and other related crimes in the state, adding that some of the suspects had begun making confessional statements.
“If investigations trace any criminal activity to anyone, whether they have legitimate businesses or not, they will be treated like criminals. No sponsor, collaborator or godfather will be spared,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor also addressed a recent protest by youths in the Ilu-Abo area who blocked a road junction over insecurity.
According to him, representatives of the community’s landlords’ association had earlier met with him to discuss steps to improve security.
“Just yesterday, representatives of the landlords’ association of that community met with me and we discussed measures to improve security there. I also directed the Commissioner of Police to deploy at least two vehicles to the police post in that area as requested,” he said.
While acknowledging residents’ frustration over the incidents, the governor criticised the protest, warning that such demonstrations could easily be hijacked by hoodlums.
“That is why protest should not always be the first line of action. Once it starts, you cannot control who joins it. When it is hijacked, other crimes may follow,” he added.
Aiyedatiwa explained that the meeting formed part of ongoing consultations with stakeholders to prevent security threats from escalating.
“This is the second engagement we are having this year. As I promised earlier, these meetings will continue regularly. It should not only be when there is a crisis that we meet,” he said.
The governor also revealed that intelligence reports suggested that some criminal elements displaced by security operations in neighbouring states such as Kwara State and Kogi State might be attempting to move into Ondo State.
According to him, some of the suspects allegedly move under the cover of cattle herding routes, using cattle as shields while travelling at night.
“We know many of you are engaged in legitimate businesses. But there are some who rustle cattle or use cattle as a cover to move into territories. You know your profession and your people better, so you can help identify those criminals,” he told the herders’ leaders.
The governor stressed that while legitimate cattle rearing would not be stopped, cooperation with herders’ associations was necessary to identify criminals hiding within the system.
“As long as I remain governor, anyone can live freely in any part of Nigeria, including Ondo State. But you must obey the laws of the land and conduct your activities within the law,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa also disclosed that the government was considering a request by the Fulani community to establish vigilante groups among their members to assist in security operations, noting that such arrangements would require approval and supervision from security agencies.
Speaking on behalf of Fulani leaders, the chairman of the state chapter of MACBAN, Ali Abubakar Maunde, said insecurity had become a concern for all stakeholders in the state.
“There are many people behind these crimes, not just Fulani alone. But we, as representatives of the Fulani, are working day and night to eliminate bad elements among us,” Maunde said.
He added that the association planned to engage Fulani communities across the state and collaborate with security agencies at the local government level to identify criminal elements.
Maunde also proposed the creation of Fulani vigilante groups made up of herders who are familiar with forests and grazing routes, noting that such groups could assist security agencies in identifying criminals and improving security.
