The Ondo State Government has directed security agencies to intensify operations against kidnapping syndicates operating in parts of the state following a recent surge in abduction cases.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, the government expressed deep concern over the incidents, noting that investigations had uncovered the involvement of local collaborators in some of the attacks. According to the statement, certain individuals within affected communities were allegedly working with criminal elements in a bid to create fear and project the state as unsafe.
The government described such actions as deliberate attempts to undermine public confidence and tarnish the image of the state. It warned that anyone found culpable would face decisive and lawful consequences, stressing that acts capable of destabilising communities would not be tolerated.
Security agencies have been mandated to heighten surveillance, expand intelligence gathering, and carry out coordinated operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks. Authorities were instructed to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals or groups linked to the crimes in accordance with the law.
As part of broader efforts to reinforce security, the state government highlighted ongoing investments in strengthening its security architecture. These include the provision of utility vehicles and enhanced logistics support to security agencies, the construction of a modern Crime Control Centre for the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, and the recent recruitment of 500 additional personnel to boost intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities.
The government also called on traditional rulers to remain vigilant and actively monitor activities within their domains, emphasizing the crucial role of community leadership in preventing crime. Residents were urged to promptly report suspicious movements or unfamiliar individuals to security operatives to aid swift intervention.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the state government stated that maintaining peace, security, and stability remains its foremost priority. It assured citizens that no individual or group would be allowed to disrupt the safety of communities or threaten the progress of the state.
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