…Aiyedatiwa urged to take urgent security action
The lawmaker representing Akure North Constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Kolawole Ologede, has condemned the attack on four farming communities in Akure North Local Government Area by suspected armed herdsmen, describing the incident as unfortunate.
Ologede, while reacting to the incident, sympathised with the victims’ families and urged all levels of government to strengthen security measures.
He called on Amotekun and other security agencies to increase their presence in vulnerable areas and improve intelligence gathering to prevent further attacks.
“I am calling on the government to take immediate action to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of citizens. I also appeal for an increased security presence in vulnerable areas and improved intelligence gathering to nip potential threats in the bud,” he stated.
He recalled a similar attack in the Familugba community last year, stressing the need for proactive measures to prevent a recurrence. He also urged residents to provide security agencies with useful intelligence.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ondo State Chapter, has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration of insensitivity and outright denial regarding the killings.
The party condemned a statement by the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Chief Olugbenga Atiba, who dismissed reports of the attack in Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun communities as “absolute falsehood” and “fake news.”
In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Oyeniyi Iwakun, the SDP described the government’s response as a blatant disregard for the victims, citing firsthand accounts from survivors, including the Regent of Ademekun Community, Princess Adekemisola Adelowo, who confirmed that at least 14 people were killed when armed assailants opened fire indiscriminately.
The SDP noted that the attack was part of a disturbing pattern of insecurity in Ondo State. It recalled previous incidents, including the killing of three motorists on the Owo-Ikare Road in January, the abduction of five farmers in Arimogija in February, and a violent cult clash in Owo that left four people dead, all of which received little or no response from the government.
The party demanded an immediate retraction of the government’s statement, a comprehensive security strategy, humanitarian assistance for displaced residents, and a thorough investigation into the security lapses that allowed the attacks to persist.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command on Monday refuted reports that it confirmed 20 deaths in the attack.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, the command clarified that while it was aware of an attack at Sunday Camp, a settlement on the Ondo-Edo boundary, it never confirmed the reported casualty figures.
The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has ordered intensified covert operations to track down the perpetrators and ensure the security of the affected communities.
The command also urged journalists to verify information from official sources before publication to prevent misinformation and public panic.
Recall that the state government, through Chief Olugbenga Atiba, dismissed reports of the attack as false and aimed at inciting panic.
“It is public knowledge that the government of Ondo State, efficiently led by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, prioritises the security of lives and property of every resident,” the statement read.
The government assured residents of continued security efforts and urged them to disregard misinformation.
Starnews NG chided the security aide who denied the attack, while the police acknowledged an incident but dismissed the reported figures regarding casualties and affected communities.
However, their statement remained vague regarding the actual number of casualties and communities impacted.
Interestingly, the figures quoted by the media were based on reports from eyewitnesses.
The Governor’s aides and handlers are undermining his credibility by eroding public trust.
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