THE governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has assured residents that governors across Nigeria’s South-West region are working closely together to strengthen security and address the growing concerns over criminal activities in the area.
The governor made the remarks during an appearance on a television programme following the conviction of four individuals linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
According to Aiyedatiwa, South-West governors have intensified discussions and joint efforts aimed at improving security coordination across the region.
He revealed that a recent meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, focused on strategies to enhance regional security, particularly through collaboration among state-backed security outfits such as Amotekun.
He noted that states including Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, and Ogun currently operate the Amotekun security network, while Lagos has its own security structure tailored to its unique needs.
The governor’s comments come amid rising security concerns in parts of the South-West, including the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State and recent kidnapping incidents in Ekiti State.
These developments have heightened fears among residents about their safety and the protection of lives and property.
Aiyedatiwa, however, maintained that state governments are taking proactive steps to combat insecurity.
He explained that Ondo State’s strategic location, bordering several states and serving as a gateway to the South-West, requires continuous security engagement and surveillance.
He added that numerous security operations are being carried out, particularly within forest reserves and border communities, although many of these efforts are not publicly disclosed.
According to the governor, security management often goes unnoticed by the public because much of the work happens behind the scenes, becoming visible only when security breaches occur.
Reacting to the court’s judgment on the 2022 Owo church massacre, Aiyedatiwa described the ruling as a significant victory for justice and the rule of law.
The attack, which occurred at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, claimed the lives of more than 40 worshippers and left several others injured.
Four years after the incident, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sentenced four suspects to death by hanging after finding them guilty of terrorism-related offences linked to the attack.
The convicts were among five individuals standing trial on a nine-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Ondo governor said the judgment has brought a sense of relief to the people of Owo and the wider Ondo community, expressing hope that it would provide some measure of justice for the victims and their families.
He further stated that the verdict sends a strong message against terrorism and reinforces confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.
