Ondo Governor says South-West leaders are strengthening intelligence sharing, security coordination, and regional surveillance through Amotekun and inter-state collaboration amid growing fears over kidnappings and violent crime.
By Dele Alabi / June 4, 2026
Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria — Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has disclosed that governors across the South-West geopolitical zone are intensifying collaboration to combat rising insecurity, amid growing concerns over kidnappings, violent attacks, and criminal activities in parts of the region.
The governor’s remarks come at a time when several South-West states have witnessed a resurgence of security challenges, including the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State and recent kidnapping incidents reported in Ekiti State.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Aiyedatiwa emphasized that regional leaders are actively coordinating security strategies and strengthening partnerships to safeguard lives and property across the zone.
According to him, South-West governors recognize that security threats transcend state boundaries and therefore require a unified and coordinated response.
REGIONAL SECURITY COLLABORATION UNDERWAY
Aiyedatiwa revealed that governors recently met in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they reviewed emerging security challenges and explored collective measures aimed at enhancing regional safety.
“What I am saying in essence is that we are talking to ourselves; we are working,” the governor stated while responding to questions about the preparedness of South-West states to address insecurity.
He explained that discussions focused on strengthening regional security architecture, intelligence sharing, and operational cooperation among states.
The governor noted that one of the key pillars of the strategy remains the integration and enhancement of local security networks, particularly the Amotekun Corps.
“The other day we had a meeting in Oyo State, in Ibadan, where we tried to map out what we need to do together to secure the South-West geopolitical zone, especially with our security network, Amotekun,” he said.
AMOTEKUN REMAINS CENTRAL TO SECURITY STRATEGY
The Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, was established by South-West states as a complementary security outfit to assist conventional security agencies in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response operations.
According to Governor Aiyedatiwa, the security outfit continues to play a strategic role in addressing emerging threats within the region.
He noted that Amotekun currently operates in Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, and Ogun states, while Lagos State maintains its own distinct security arrangements.
Security analysts have frequently highlighted the importance of community-based security structures in combating crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and rural banditry.
Experts argue that local security networks often possess better knowledge of terrain and community dynamics, making them valuable partners in crime prevention efforts.
RISING KIDNAPPINGS SPARK PUBLIC ANXIETY
The renewed focus on security coordination follows a series of incidents that have heightened public concern across the South-West.
Among the most alarming developments was the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State, an incident that triggered nationwide protests by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).
Similarly, reports of kidnapping activities in parts of Ekiti State, including the Ilejemeje Local Government Area, have raised fears about the expansion of criminal networks into previously stable communities.
Residents and community leaders have increasingly called for stronger security measures as criminals continue to target schools, highways, farms, and rural settlements.
The incidents have fueled broader debates about the effectiveness of existing security frameworks and the need for enhanced inter-state cooperation.
ONDO’S STRATEGIC POSITION AS A SECURITY GATEWAY
Governor Aiyedatiwa described Ondo State as a critical gateway to the South-West due to its geographical location and proximity to several other regions of the country.
According to him, the state’s borders with neighboring areas create unique security challenges that require continuous vigilance and coordinated responses.
“Now, for us in Ondo State and other South-West states, we stand as a gateway to the South-West because we border a lot of other states from other parts of the country,” he explained.
Security experts have long identified border communities and forest corridors as vulnerable routes often exploited by kidnappers, armed gangs, and other criminal elements.
The governor suggested that significant security operations are currently underway in forest reserves and remote locations, although many of these efforts remain outside public view for operational reasons.
‘MUCH OF THE WORK HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES’
Addressing concerns about public perceptions of government efforts, Aiyedatiwa argued that security operations are often invisible to citizens until a security breach occurs.
“A lot of engagements are going on in our forest reserves that do not come to the public in the news,” he said.
“So much work is being done. 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.”
The governor maintained that state governments continue to invest substantial resources in intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and collaboration with federal security agencies.
Analysts note that one of the challenges facing public confidence is the difficulty in measuring preventive security successes compared to highly visible security failures.
OWO CHURCH VERDICT SEEN AS VICTORY FOR JUSTICE
Beyond regional security discussions, Governor Aiyedatiwa also reacted to the Federal High Court judgment that sentenced four terrorists to death for their involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The attack, one of the deadliest incidents in Ondo State’s history, claimed the lives of more than 40 worshippers and left many others injured.
Delivering judgment in Abuja, Justice Emeka Nwite convicted four suspects on terrorism-related charges following a lengthy trial prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The governor described the verdict as a significant victory for justice and the rule of law.
“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, not just in Owo, Ondo State, but all who have been attacked at one time or the other by these terrorists,” he stated.
SECURITY EXPERTS CALL FOR SUSTAINED REGIONAL ACTION
Security analysts say the South-West’s collaborative approach could serve as a model for other regions facing similar threats.
Experts argue that successful security management increasingly depends on intelligence sharing, coordinated patrols, technological surveillance, community engagement, and rapid response mechanisms.
They also emphasize that criminal groups often exploit administrative boundaries, making regional cooperation essential for effective law enforcement.
According to analysts, strengthening Amotekun, improving communication between state governments, and deepening collaboration with federal agencies could significantly enhance regional security outcomes.
As kidnappings and violent crimes continue to challenge communities across Nigeria, South-West governors appear to be moving toward a more coordinated and proactive security framework.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s assurances of ongoing collaboration reflect growing recognition that security threats require collective solutions rather than isolated responses.
While residents continue to demand visible improvements in safety, government officials insist that significant efforts are already underway behind the scenes to prevent attacks, dismantle criminal networks, and restore public confidence.
For many citizens, however, the ultimate measure of success will not be meetings or declarations but safer roads, protected schools, secure communities, and a tangible reduction in criminal activity across the region.
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