Ondo In Serious Security Crisis, Gov. Akeredolu Laments

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has declared that
the state is in a serious security crisis.

Governor Akeredolu made the declaration following the killing of
a first-class traditional ruler in the state, the Olufon of Ifon in
Ose Local Government Area, Oba Isreal Adeusi, by suspected
kidnappers around Elegbeka, Owo-Ifon highway.

Barely 24 hours later, the wife of the governor’s Chief of Staff
was abducted in Owena area of the state.

In a statement issued by his Commissioner for Information and
Orientation, Donald Ojogo, Governor Akeredolu described the killing
of Oba Adeusi as a heinous crime.

He said: “All lives matter, but this is one too heavy and
unbearable. It’s a sad day in Ondo State. Clearly, we are in a
serious security crisis that requires extraordinary means.

“The security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, have
already been directed to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous
crime.

“On our part as a government, we shall give whatever it takes to
unravel this. These criminals who have brought this sad day on our
state shall not go unpunished.

“In deference to our customs and traditions, the state
government will advisedly refrain from making public reference in
statements or utterances in respect of the identity of the great
loss.

“Nonetheless, without prejudice to ongoing efforts towards
getting to the roots of this abominable crime, government shall
issue a formal and more detailed statement as dictated by tradition
after due consultations with relevant stakeholders in the affected
community.”

The police and the Amotekun corps in Ondo State yesterday
launched a search party for the wife of the Chief of Staff to
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Mr Olugbenga Ale, who was abducted
on Thursday night.

Mrs. Ale was kidnapped at Owena area of the state a few hours
after gunmen shot dead the Olufon of Ifon, in Ondo State, Oba
Isreal Adeusi, at Elegbeka community on the Ifon-Benin Highway.

The Olufon was returning to his domain from Akure, the state
capital, where he had attended a meeting of traditional rulers in
the state.

Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed Mrs. Ale’s
abduction yesterday.

He said the policemen and other security agencies were already
combing the forest.

He said: “The woman and others were on their way to Akure when
the gunmen stopped their vehicle.

“As I am talking, policemen, army and men of paramilitary
agencies are combing the forest to rescue the people.”

It was gathered that Ale’s wife and other women were abducted
along Akure-Ondo Road while returning from Lagos State.

Other occupants in the car were said to have escaped while the
driver was allowed to go.

A source said: “The woman was abducted at Owena along on
Akure-Ondo Road.

“The case has been reported to the security agencies, especially
the Amotekun and army to comb everywhere, and we are expecting a
feedback soon.”

The Egbe Afenifere yesterday condemned the killing of the
Olufon, describing the murder as an abomination and one too
many.

It asked the police to fish out the killers.

It said: “There have been other multiple murders across
Yorubaland which the police have not been able to resolve.

“It has reached a point where only very prominent killings get
reported in this state of total insecurity in a failed state.

“The killing of any citizen worries us, how much more a first
class monarch.

“We ask the police to fish out the killers of Olufon as it is
one murder too many and absolute failure and lack of competence by
the security system in Nigeria to secure lives and property which
is the first duty of any responsible government.

“We are fed up with the daily killing of our people across
Nigeria in the apparent festering of insecurity which now has a
very conducive atmosphere in Nigeria.

“To President Buhari, it’s a time to get up and secure Nigeria
and allow a federal architecture that promotes homeland security.
Being the Commander-in-Chief can’t be a title with no
responsibility.”

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has declared that
the state is in a serious security crisis.

Governor Akeredolu made the declaration following the killing of
a first-class traditional ruler in the state, the Olufon of Ifon in
Ose Local Government Area, Oba Isreal Adeusi, by suspected
kidnappers around Elegbeka, Owo-Ifon highway.

Barely 24 hours later, the wife of the governor’s Chief of Staff
was abducted in Owena area of the state.

In a statement issued by his Commissioner for Information and
Orientation, Donald Ojogo, Governor Akeredolu described the killing
of Oba Adeusi as a heinous crime.

He said: “All lives matter, but this is one too heavy and
unbearable. It’s a sad day in Ondo State. Clearly, we are in a
serious security crisis that requires extraordinary means.

“The security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, have
already been directed to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous
crime.

“On our part as a government, we shall give whatever it takes to
unravel this. These criminals who have brought this sad day on our
state shall not go unpunished.

“In deference to our customs and traditions, the state
government will advisedly refrain from making public reference in
statements or utterances in respect of the identity of the great
loss.

“Nonetheless, without prejudice to ongoing efforts towards
getting to the roots of this abominable crime, government shall
issue a formal and more detailed statement as dictated by tradition
after due consultations with relevant stakeholders in the affected
community.”

The police and the Amotekun corps in Ondo State yesterday
launched a search party for the wife of the Chief of Staff to
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Mr Olugbenga Ale, who was abducted
on Thursday night.

Mrs. Ale was kidnapped at Owena area of the state a few hours
after gunmen shot dead the Olufon of Ifon, in Ondo State, Oba
Isreal Adeusi, at Elegbeka community on the Ifon-Benin Highway.

The Olufon was returning to his domain from Akure, the state
capital, where he had attended a meeting of traditional rulers in
the state.

Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed Mrs. Ale’s
abduction yesterday.

He said the policemen and other security agencies were already
combing the forest.

He said: “The woman and others were on their way to Akure when
the gunmen stopped their vehicle.

“As I am talking, policemen, army and men of paramilitary
agencies are combing the forest to rescue the people.”

It was gathered that Ale’s wife and other women were abducted
along Akure-Ondo Road while returning from Lagos State.

Other occupants in the car were said to have escaped while the
driver was allowed to go.

A source said: “The woman was abducted at Owena along on
Akure-Ondo Road.

“The case has been reported to the security agencies, especially
the Amotekun and army to comb everywhere, and we are expecting a
feedback soon.”

The Egbe Afenifere yesterday condemned the killing of the
Olufon, describing the murder as an abomination and one too
many.

It asked the police to fish out the killers.

It said: “There have been other multiple murders across
Yorubaland which the police have not been able to resolve.

“It has reached a point where only very prominent killings get
reported in this state of total insecurity in a failed state.

“The killing of any citizen worries us, how much more a first
class monarch.

“We ask the police to fish out the killers of Olufon as it is
one murder too many and absolute failure and lack of competence by
the security system in Nigeria to secure lives and property which
is the first duty of any responsible government.

“We are fed up with the daily killing of our people across
Nigeria in the apparent festering of insecurity which now has a
very conducive atmosphere in Nigeria.

“To President Buhari, it’s a time to get up and secure Nigeria
and allow a federal architecture that promotes homeland security.
Being the Commander-in-Chief can’t be a title with no
responsibility.”