Ondo State Under Siege: Rising Insecurity and Government Inaction Spark Outrage

By Our Correspondent

Ondo State is currently facing an alarming wave of insecurity, with violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings becoming a near-daily occurrence.

The latest tragedy occurred in Aba Oyinbo, Akure North Local Government Area, where five farmers were brutally murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.

This attack, which happened barely 24 hours ago, has sparked outrage and led to massive protests in the state capital, Akure.

Carrying the bodies of the slain victims, enraged protesters stormed the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, demanding immediate action.

Many are frustrated by what they describe as the government’s failure to curb the escalating violence that has left countless residents dead or missing.

The attack in Aba Oyinbo follows a similar massacre just two weeks ago, where about 20 farmers were reportedly killed across four farm settlements in the same region.

Despite these tragic incidents, the response from the state government has been lukewarm, fueling suspicions that authorities are either overwhelmed or indifferent.

Government’s Poor Handling of Security Crisis

Critics argued that the Ondo State Government is playing politics with security matters instead of addressing the crisis head-on. Calls for urgent intervention are often dismissed as political attacks against the administration, and even factual news reports on killings are sometimes labeled as opposition propaganda.

One glaring example of this was the Sunday Camp massacre in Akure North Local Government, where over 15 residents were slaughtered by suspected herdsmen. While social media was flooded with videos and eyewitness accounts confirming the attack, government aides scrambled to deny the incident. The contradictions between police reports and government statements further fueled distrust.

Even more disturbing is the government’s silence on the spate of kidnappings ravaging the state. Farmers, travelers, and even professional surveyors have fallen victim to abductions, with their families forced to pay outrageous ransoms to secure their release. Yet, the governor has failed to issue a categorical statement to assure residents of their safety—an obligation that should be his top priority.

Instead, the last major statement from the governor’s office was during his Supreme Court victory celebration, with only a passing reference to the security situation. This lack of decisive leadership has left many residents feeling abandoned.

Ondo State’s Failing Security Infrastructure

The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, recently admitted the overwhelming logistical challenges hindering security efforts in the state. Speaking at an interactive session in Akure, Afolabi revealed that the police force lacks the necessary resources to effectively tackle crime.

“There is not much logistics to tackle security challenges,” Afolabi confessed, highlighting the fact that the police rely on outdated methods such as deploying personnel to comb through bushes—an approach that has yielded minimal success.

Shockingly, the Commissioner disclosed that high-profile kidnappers were only apprehended after he personally hired private trackers to locate them. This revelation raises serious concerns about the state government’s commitment to security. If a high-ranking police officer has to resort to personal funding for crime-fighting efforts, what hope do ordinary residents have?

Afolabi also emphasized the urgent need for better funding, including operational vehicles, military drones, advanced binoculars, and fuel supply for security operations. His statements paint a grim picture of a state severely under-equipped to handle its growing security crisis.

Ondo Residents Take to the Streets in Protest

Frustrated by the government’s inaction, residents have taken to the streets in protest—twice in recent weeks. This latest demonstration at the Governor’s Office highlights the desperation of a people who feel unsafe in their own state.

From herdsmen killings to kidnappings and ritual murders, Ondo State has become a danger zone where criminals operate with little fear of repercussions. The growing insecurity is not just an issue for affected families; it threatens the state’s economic stability, as farmers abandon their lands for fear of attacks.

Many believe the crisis could have been avoided with strong leadership, swift action, and a clear security plan. Instead, Ondo residents are left to fend for themselves while the government remains largely unresponsive.

The Way Forward

The rising insecurity in Ondo State calls for urgent action. The government must:

1. Declare a State of Emergency on Security – Immediate measures should be put in place to curb violence, including the deployment of security forces to hotspots.
2. Strengthen Community Policing – The use of local vigilante groups, in collaboration with law enforcement, could help improve intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
3. Invest in Modern Security Equipment – Drones, surveillance cameras, and operational vehicles are critical to tackling kidnappings and other violent crimes.
4. Engage with Stakeholders – Open communication with community leaders, farmers, and security experts can help develop practical solutions.
5. Hold Perpetrators Accountable – Arresting and prosecuting criminals will serve as a deterrent and restore confidence in the justice system.

Until these steps are taken, Ondo residents will continue to live in fear, and the state will remain trapped in a cycle of bloodshed and insecurity. The people of Ondo deserve better. The question is: will the government finally act, or will more innocent lives be lost before real change happens?