What’s Aiyedatiwa Doing … As Fear Grips Elites Over Insecurity

Ondo State is facing a growing wave of violent crime. In recent weeks, attacks have escalated from rural highways to urban centres, putting both ordinary residents and the elite on edge.

A few days ago, Oba Kehinde Falodun, the monarch of Agamo community, was killed during a failed kidnapping attempt at his residence. In the same period, gunmen abducted six worshippers from a Celestial Church of Christ parish in Uso, Owo LGA, and a couple in Ilu Abo were kidnapped from their home, only to be released after a reported N5 million ransom.

The change in pattern has unsettled the state’s political and business elite. Wealth and status no longer guarantee safety. High-profile attacks raise fears for personal security and threaten key investments, including agribusinesses and the Ondo Deep Seaport project. There is concern that the rising insecurity could destabilise both the economy and the political environment.

In the centre of these, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is facing criticism for not communicating directly with the public. Residents and opposition groups argue that visible leadership and proactive messaging are needed.

This is true and sensible. Only, official records show that the governor has taken action behind the scenes. Following the Uso church abduction, for example, he ordered security operatives to “smoke out” the perpetrators and has convened multiple emergency meetings with the Amotekun Corps to intensify operations across all 18 local government areas.

Amotekun rangers have been deployed along volatile forest routes, particularly on the Ondo-Ogun border, to intercept criminal activity. The administration insists that the measures are ongoing, though many residents remain uneasy about the pace and visibility of the response.

For now, Ondo State watches, waits, and asks questions. The governor’s quiet approach may be strategic, but the public is seeking reassurance as incidents of kidnapping and violent crime continue to rise. Residents, business owners, and local elites alike are left weighing the reality of government action against the perception of inaction.