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Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has stated that kidnapping incidents in the state have declined significantly, attributing the development to arrests made by security agencies in the state.
Speaking during a media parley on Friday, the governor said that several suspected kidnappers had been apprehended by the police and the state’s security agency, Amotekun.
According to him, “A lot of criminal kidnappers have been arrested in the states, they don’t write about that on the news. You can ask the police and Amotekun. They are arresting a lot of them, and that is why kidnapping has reduced.”
He explained that the crime, which was previously frequent, had now become less common.
“It used to be almost like a daily thing at the time, but it has reduced considerably even right now,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa, however, acknowledged that some isolated cases still occur, warning that authorities remain determined to track down those responsible.
“Some of them still take a risk, but the law will catch up with them because we will get them arrested. I can tell you that we will smoke them out of their holes,” he added.
The governor also rejected suggestions that terrorist groups or bandits are operating in the state.
“No terrorists or bandits operating in the state. Terrorist operation has not happened after the Owo massacre, we’ve not experienced any terrorist attack,” he said.
While noting that cases of kidnapping for ransom still happen occasionally, he described them as isolated incidents being handled by security agencies.
“I said that we have isolated cases of kidnapping for ransom, the security agencies have to engage to ensure that those who are kidnapped are released and then trail those who are perpetrating the act.”
Aiyedatiwa further explained that many incidents occur in remote communities, especially in parts of Akure North where access can be difficult.
“Akure is big, we have farmsteads that you have to travel by bike for three hours to get to some of the places,” he said, adding that Amotekun rangers maintain camps in forest areas to provide security coverage.
He also said some crimes reported as banditry are actually disputes within communities. “But you cannot run away from some isolated case. Some are tied to land issues, who owns land and who wants to be the baale of such location. Among the same people in the same community,” he said.
The governor added that in some cases victims were lured by acquaintances, stressing that such incidents should not be mistaken for organised banditry.
He further stated that while security challenges may still arise occasionally, the government and security agencies remain committed to tackling them promptly.
According to him, reports that portray the state as facing widespread insecurity are often exaggerated.
“The other ones you mentioned, a friend called another friend to follow him to somewhere, he left his food, and he followed him and then was killed, that is no bandit. Those are crimes within the community, so you cannot run away from such as well. Those are some of them, but by the time you put out the news, for some reason known to those who write out this news, they make it look as if there is a big problem in ondo state.”
He maintained that the state government will continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure the safety of residents.
