AIYEDATIWA’S SECURITY BLUEPRINT: HOW ONDO BECAME A MODEL WITH AMOTEKUN AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS 

By Ayo Bajẹ

“Amotekun Corps’ lofty journey has been one of remarkable achievements and unwavering resilience. Our brave men and women have scaled the most daunting challenges, confronting terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers with unwavering courage.” – Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa

The security of lives and property is the foremost duty of government, as enshrined in Section 14 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Yet insecurity continues to bedevil the Nigerian state. From Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents to bandits, kidnappers, and armed herders, trillions of naira have been expended over decades, with little to show beyond the tragic loss of thousands of innocent lives.

Against this backdrop, Ondo State under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has emerged as a beacon of pragmatic leadership. Building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa has consolidated security reforms with a focus on local solutions, community synergy, and state-driven initiatives that directly impact the grassroots.

At the heart of Ondo’s security success is the reinforcement of the South-West Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun. Governor Aiyedatiwa has not only sustained the corps but expanded its reach with modern tools, logistics, and inter-agency collaboration. He has also been a consistent voice in the national conversation, pressing for state policing as the most viable way to safeguard communities.

His message is clear: security cannot be left to the federal government alone. It must be rooted in local ownership, where residents, traditional rulers, and neighborhood watch structures complement formal agencies.

The governor’s approach is not limited to rhetoric. Within his first 100 days in office, he presented 50 brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles to security agencies, a continuation of the 25 units distributed in July 2024. He also approved the use of drones for 24-hour forest surveillance and ensured synergy between Amotekun and the Nigeria Police Force, leading to the swift arrest of kidnappers, including those behind the abduction of a staff of Adekunle Ajasin University.

“These interventions underscore our administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and capacity of our security agencies to respond to any act of criminality in the state,” the governor declared.

The state has also taken bold legislative steps, including the approval of the death penalty for convicted kidnappers — a clear message that Ondo will not tolerate criminality.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, recently emphasized that the state’s relative peace is the product of robust collaboration among security agencies, supported by adequate resources from government. He noted that Ondo’s proactive measures — from equipping security personnel to engaging civil society organizations — are a demonstration of shared responsibility in safeguarding lives.

This synergy was further showcased during the Yemie Fash Online News Interactive Session, where the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, joined other top officials and security chiefs to discuss sustainable strategies. The consensus was simple: security must be a shared mission, powered by partnerships.

Beyond logistics and legislation, Aiyedatiwa’s leadership has been marked by swift, balanced responses to crises. When farmers in Akure North staged protests against attacks by armed herders, the governor promptly imposed a curfew on affected communities. After thorough assessments and preventive measures were put in place, the curfew was lifted — a demonstration of responsiveness without heavy-handedness.

Governor Aiyedatiwa understands that security is not an end in itself but the bedrock of economic transformation. Peace in Ondo has boosted investor confidence, with government actively engaging partners in industrialization, agribusiness, and tourism.

The state’s development blueprint, tagged OUR EASE, prioritizes security as the first pillar of progress. From the Deep Sea Port project to new agribusiness ventures and the promotion of tourism sites like the world-renowned Idanre Hills, Ondo’s stability is laying the groundwork for sustainable prosperity.

Ondo’s story offers a compelling lesson to the rest of Nigeria: security requires vision, consistency, and collective will. The reinforcement of Amotekun, synergy among agencies, investment in logistics, and community involvement are not just policy choices but lifelines that have turned the tide in the state.

By adopting a holistic approach that integrates citizens, government, and security operatives, Governor Aiyedatiwa has created a template worth emulating. His advocacy for state policing, coupled with practical measures on the ground, is proof that localized solutions can succeed where centralized control has faltered.

Ondo’s success is not accidental. It is the product of leadership anchored on constancy of purpose. As other states grapple with insecurity, the Ondo model stands as a reminder that safety and progress are inseparable — and that with the right political will, both are achievable.