Ondo State, one of the safest states in Nigeria’s southwestern region, is fast becoming insecure for citizens, losing its reputation as a sanctuary of calm to an environment eroded by rampant kidnappings, occurring both day and night, with alarming frequency.
While many are yet to get over the June 5, 2022, mass shooting at St Francis Catholic Church in the Owo Local Government Area of the state, kidnapping activities, which started as what the government felt it would curb in no time, have expanded to all parts of the state. Without much doubt, the level of insecurity knows no boundaries – both young and old, children and high-profile, male and female, have become victims of kidnapping in the Sunshine State. Everyone is now a target.
Against Governor Aiyedatiwa‘s pronouncement in 2025 during the First Working Day Prayer Meeting held at the Governor’s office in Akure that the state is among the safest in the country, nowhere is longer safe in Ondo and everyone now lives in fear.
Farmers are scared to journey into their farmland either for sustainable or commercial agriculture. Fear has gripped business operators. Travellers are scared of travelling through the state. The incessant kidnapping cases and reports are not pleasing. Residents of the state are being kidnapped and killed not just on the road but in their homes. Communities and villages are at no peace, sleeping and waking up in fear.
Data has shown that insecurity cases in the state are on the rise. Between January and July 2024, the PUNCH Newspaper in its findings reported that 33 individuals were kidnapped across different parts of the state in seven months. This number has since increased.
On February 4, 2025, no fewer than seven travellers coming from Akwa Ibom and heading towards Akure, the state capital, were abducted by kidnappers on the Benin-Owo highway at the Ipele area of Owo Local Government Area.
On February 14, 2025, a health worker, Akinola Oyabiyi, was reported to have been shot dead by gunmen near Akure Airport at Eleyowo in the Akure North Local Government Area of the State.
On February 17, 2025, Afenifere Youth Council President, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, was kidnapped in Akunu, Ondo State, on his way to Abuja. He slept for 12 days at the kidnappers’ den before release.
In March, nine surveyors were kidnapped in Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area. This led to a protest by women in the community. They were, however, released upon payment of N20 million ransom.
Kidnappers are not only being abducted in groups but also individually in the state. An example of this is Tola Gbadamosi, a farmer and businessman, who was kidnapped alongside his farm manager on their way to his farm at Abo-Ashakin, close to the Akure Airport in Akure North Local Government. A ransom of N25 million was paid for their release. How many lives and how long will ransom continue to be paid?
Villages like Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun in Akure North Local Government were not excluded two months ago, as bandits ransacked the community and killed scores of people, forcing many residents to flee.
The kidnapping and banditry cases are also witnessed in Owo Local Government, the country town of the state deputy governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami. Recently, on May 2nd, 2025, precisely, a Chief in Ipele town of Owo local government, Chief Arije of Ofi, was reportedly killed by kidnappers during a failed abduction attempt.
Less than 48 hours later, a man in the town was to have been kidnapped. The victim was reported abducted at Ipele. These are a few of many incidents in the state, including banditry and insecurity cases in Ose Local Government and other parts of the state.
A society faced with insecurity, kidnapping and banditry is not only lacking peace but development. This and protection of Ondo residents’ lives and properties was the reason behind the creation of South West Security Network (Amotekun) by late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
As the number one citizen, resident and chief security officer of the state, it is important for Governor Aiyedatiwa to know that making promises and assuring residents of maximum safety is not enough. There is a need to strengthen, pump funding into the local security network in the state while collaborating with other security operatives.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, now is the moment to rise against insecurity.
No family is safe in the Sunshine State!
Damilola Olufemi is a concerned indigene of Ondo State and an award-winning journalist. He can be reached via Olufemidamilola36@gmail.com
