The governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has warned criminal elements and their financiers, declaring that his administration would pursue and prosecute anyone linked to the rising cases of kidnapping and banditry in the state, including powerful sponsors and so-called “godfathers”.
The governor spoke during a high-level security meeting held in his office yesterday, where he met with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and representatives of the Ilu-Abo community.
The meeting focused on strengthening intelligence gathering and dismantling criminal networks threatening peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that security agencies had already arrested about 90 suspects over recent kidnapping incidents.
According to him, investigations revealed organised criminal syndicates involving both local collaborators and nomadic elements.
He explained that some individuals provided intelligence about victims’ movements while others carried out the abductions and transported victims into forest hideouts.
The governor stressed that anyone found culpable during investigations would face the full weight of the law, regardless of status or influence.
Aiyedatiwa also revealed intelligence suggesting that criminals displaced by military operations in neighbouring Kwara State and Kogi State were attempting to infiltrate Ondo through forest routes.
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He said many of the suspects moved at night and sometimes used cattle as cover to avoid detection while navigating remote forest paths.
While reaffirming that all Nigerians had the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful business in Ondo State, the governor urged MACBAN leaders to help identify and expose criminal elements hiding within the herding community.
He noted that herders themselves had often become victims of cattle rustling and other crimes.
Addressing the recent protest in the Ilu-Abo community—where youths blocked major roads following three kidnapping incidents within two months—the governor criticised the action.
He revealed that he had already held discussions with community leaders a day before the protest and had instructed the Commissioner of Police to deploy two patrol vehicles to the area to strengthen security.
Aiyedatiwa cautioned that although public grievances were legitimate, protests could easily be hijacked by criminal elements and escalate into wider security problems.During the meeting, stakeholders discussed several collaborative measures to improve security across the state.
Among the proposals was a request for the Fulani community to establish vigilante groups familiar with forest terrain.
The governor said the idea was being considered but stressed that such groups would operate strictly under the supervision of recognised security agencies.
The state government also considered providing logistical support for surveillance activities within herding settlements, while agreeing to hold regular consultations with community leaders and security stakeholders to prevent future crises.
In his remarks, the Ondo State Chairman of MACBAN, Abubakar Maunde, expressed concern over the worsening security situation and pledged the association’s cooperation with government authorities.
He supported the idea of community-based vigilance, noting that herders who understood the terrain could assist security agencies in identifying criminal hideouts in the forests.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti, as well as other senior security officials and government aides.
