By Gloria Drealomalicha
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that security operatives recently thwarted an alleged plot to bomb the Ondo State Government House, describing the development as a major success in the state’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, the governor said intelligence reports received several months ago alerted security agencies to suspicious activities involving a group of youths allegedly planning an attack on the seat of government.
According to Aiyedatiwa, the suspects initially checked into a hotel before relocating to a rented apartment, where security operatives later uncovered materials and equipment believed to be linked to the planned operation.
He explained that the intelligence prompted a coordinated operation involving the Nigeria Police Force and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.
“Following intelligence reports, the police and Amotekun moved in, raided the location, arrested the suspects, and they remain in custody,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa noted that investigations were still ongoing to establish the motive behind the alleged plot, stressing that the incident underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration in maintaining public safety.
He said security efforts often go unnoticed by the public because many threats are neutralised before they materialise.
“Security is one responsibility that leaders carry that is not so visible to everybody. It is only when there is a lapse that it will look as if the government has not been doing enough. We have been doing so much,” he stated.
The governor also highlighted growing cooperation among South-West states in addressing security challenges, noting that governors in the region had strengthened intelligence sharing and regional security initiatives through the Amotekun Corps.
“What I am saying in essence is that we are talking to ourselves; we are working,” he added.
Meanwhile, Aiyedatiwa welcomed the conviction of four individuals linked to the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, describing the verdict as a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families.
The church attack, which claimed dozens of lives and left many worshippers injured, sent shockwaves across Nigeria and drew widespread condemnation both within and outside the country.
“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,” the governor said.
The governor maintained that his administration would continue to prioritise security and work closely with law enforcement agencies to protect residents and safeguard lives and property across the state.
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