By Ejire Folakunmi
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to stamp out insecurity in Imafon, Igushin, and Ilado communities within the Akure North Local Government Area, pledging decisive action against criminal elements operating in the axis.
The Governor made the declaration on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, during a familiarization and condolence visit to the palace of the Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Adegbehingbe Aliu, following a series of violent attacks within the locality.
Expressing deep sympathy for the bereaved families, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the recent killings as “deeply disturbing.” He cited the brutal murder of a female farmer and her daughter at a poultry farm in a forest area, as well as the shooting of a young man in Ilado who resisted abduction.
To restore calm and safeguard lives, the Governor announced several immediate measures like, new security posts. Amotekun posts will be established within the troubled communities to enhance surveillance and improve response times.
Inter-agency collaboration, security agencies, including the Police, Civil Defence (NSCDC), and the military, are working alongside local hunters and vigilantes to secure forest enclaves.
Governor Aiyedatiwa warned against harboring criminals, noting that such actions undermine security efforts through the leakage of vital information. He appealed to residents to provide credible intelligence, noting that some local youths had already been apprehended for their involvement in criminal activities.
The Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Adegbehingbe Aliu, commended the Governor’s intervention but lamented the lack of firearms for vigilantes, which he stated hampers their effectiveness. Similarly, the Ojogbariaka of Ilado, Oba Kayode Ajomale, highlighted a significant infrastructure gap, noting that a vast area of approximately 182 kilometers is currently served by only one police station located 12 kilometers away.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, assured residents of a prompt response to credible information and confirmed that additional personnel have been deployed to the area following recent bush-combing operations.
Beyond security, Governor Aiyedatiwa assured residents that ongoing road projects in the area would be accelerated before the onset of the rainy season. Community leaders, including Rt. Hon. Kenneth Olawale, emphasized that the agrarian nature of the communities, particularly poultry farming and cocoa production, makes security a top priority for economic survival.
The event was attended by key state officials, including the Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, and the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Oluyemi Ibiloye.