- Asks Aiyedatiwa to tackle bandits
Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the last governorship election and ex-Ondo State Deputy Governor, Chief Agboola Ajayi, has expressed worries over the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.
In a statement asking Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to tackle the problem, he lamented that the people of the state are distressed over the situation.
Criticising the governor, he said, “The lethargy with which Governor Aiyedatiwa is handling the affairs of our state underscores his ill-preparedness and incompetence.”
He attributed the crisis to the alleged failure of the Aiyedatiwa administration, regretting that the state had been in the news for the wrong reasons,
At least 25 people were killed by suspected herdsmen who invaded the Akure North Local Government Area in the past two weeks. The criminals also reportedly invaded and sacked four communities in the same council area.
Besides, another five persons were slaughtered on Wednesday in an attack on Aba Oyinbo in the same Local Government Area.
Ajayi said, “For the past few weeks, Ondo State has been troubled by an emerging culture of kidnapping, banditry, and killings. As of the last count, nearly a hundred people have been killed by criminals who invaded our state.
“Today, the people of Akure, frustrated by this worsening situation, stormed the Government Office to express their outrage, yet the APC-led government of Governor Aiyedatiwa has no answers.”
Recalling that while serving as deputy governor from 2017 to 2021 with the departed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, security measures were implemented to curb banditry, including restrictions on open grazing.
He said, “We enforced a ban on open grazing, which restored sanity. Unfortunately, those gains have been lost, and now the people are suffering.
“The lethargy with which Governor Aiyedatiwa is handling the affairs of our state underscores his ill-preparedness and incompetence.
“The governor must seek help and take decisive actions to rid Ondo State of these invading bandits. Immediate steps should include revamping Amotekun and reinstating the Armed Forest Guards to secure our forests.
“With the governor receiving over a billion naira as a security vote, it is time for these funds to be effectively utilized for the safety of the people.”
He urged Ondo residents to begin organizing themselves for self-defense while hoping the governor takes appropriate action.
