BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has assured residents of the South-West that governors in the region are working closely together to tackle insecurity and strengthen the safety of lives and property.
Speaking on a television programme on Tuesday, the Ondo State governor said the region’s leaders have stepped up consultations and joint security efforts in response to rising security challenges across parts of the South-West.
His remarks come amid growing concern over recent incidents, including the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State and reported kidnappings in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.
According to Aiyedatiwa, South-West governors recently met in Ibadan to review security strategies and strengthen regional cooperation, particularly through the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
“We are talking to ourselves; we are working,” the governor said, noting that states including Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Ogun have operational Amotekun corps, while Lagos maintains its own security architecture.
Aiyedatiwa described Ondo as a strategic gateway to the South-West because of its proximity to several neighbouring states, including Kogi and other parts of the country, making collaboration essential in addressing cross-border criminal activities.
He revealed that significant security operations are being carried out in forest reserves and other vulnerable areas, although many of those activities are not publicly disclosed.
“A lot of engagements are going on in our forest reserves that do not come to the public in the news. So much work is being done,” he said.
The governor emphasized that security efforts often go unnoticed until a breach occurs, insisting that governments in the region have remained proactive despite public concerns.
Owo Church Attack Verdict Hailed
Aiyedatiwa also welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which sentenced four individuals to death for their involvement in the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
The attack, one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in recent Nigerian history, claimed more than 40 lives and left many worshippers injured.
The governor described the verdict delivered by Emeka Nwite as a triumph for justice and the rule of law.
“For us in Ondo State, we are happy that this judgment is a victory for the rule of law and for all the victims attacked, not just in Owo, but all who have suffered from terrorist attacks,” he said.
The ruling followed the conviction of four suspects prosecuted by the Department of State Services over their roles in planning and executing the attack.
As insecurity continues to challenge several parts of the country, Aiyedatiwa maintained that sustained cooperation among South-West governors, enhanced intelligence sharing, and strengthened regional security networks remain critical to safeguarding communities and preventing future attacks.
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