How Security agents thwarted plot to bomb Ondo govt house — Aiyedatiwa

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State disclosed that security agencies thwarted an alleged plot to bomb the State Government House in Akure, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.

Aiyedatiwa made the disclosure on Wednesday in a monitored interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today while reacting to the conviction of four persons linked to the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.

The governor said intelligence reports received about three to four months ago alerted security agencies to the activities of a group of youths allegedly planning an attack on the seat of government.

According to him, the suspects initially lodged in a hotel before relocating to a rented apartment where security operatives later uncovered materials believed to be intended for the operation.

He said a joint operation involving the police and the Amotekun Corps led to the raid of the hideout and the arrest of the suspects, who remain in custody.

He said, “Following intelligence reports, the police and Amotekun moved in, raided the location, arrested the suspects, and they remain in custody.”

Aiyedatiwa noted that investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the alleged plot but said the incident highlights the security threats facing the state and the importance of sustained vigilance.

The governor stressed that many successful security interventions often go unnoticed because attacks are prevented before they occur.

“So much work is being done. Security is one responsibility that leaders carry that is not so visible to everybody. It is only when there is a lapse that it will look as if the government has not been doing enough. We have been doing so much,” he said.

“Security is one responsibility that leaders carry that is not so visible to everybody. It is only when there is a lapse that it will look as if the government has not been doing enough. We have been doing so much,” he said.

He added that governors in the South-West are working closely together to improve security through intelligence sharing and collaboration, particularly through regional security initiatives such as Amotekun.

Speaking on the recent judgment in the Owo church massacre case, Aiyedatiwa welcomed the conviction and death sentence handed to four convicted terrorists, describing it as a victory for justice and the rule of law.

He said the judgement would provide some measure of relief to the victims and families affected by the attack.

The June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, left more than 40 worshippers dead and several others injured when gunmen opened fire during a Sunday service.

Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, stressing that security remains a top priority of his government.

He said Ondo State has continued to strengthen its security architecture through enhanced intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and closer collaboration among security agencies, including the police, Amotekun Corps, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local communities.

Speaking on security efforts across the South-West, Aiyedatiwa said governors in the region are working closely together to strengthen safety and intelligence gathering.

“What I am saying in essence is that we are talking to ourselves; we are working,” he said, adding that recent meetings among governors focused on enhancing collaboration through regional security outfits such as Amotekun.

The governor also welcomed the conviction of four persons linked to the Owo church massacre, describing the judgement as a major victory for justice and the rule of law.

“For us in Ondo State, we are happy that this judgement is a victory for the rule of law and for all the victims attacked, not just in Owo, Ondo State, but all who have been attacked at one time or the other by these terrorists,” he said.

The June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo claimed more than 40 lives and left many others injured after gunmen opened fire on worshippers during a Sunday service.

Aiyedatiwa said Ondo State has continued to strengthen its security architecture through improved intelligence gathering, surveillance and collaboration among the police, Amotekun, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local communities, assuring residents that the government remains committed to protecting lives and property.