Ondo govt urged to declare state of emergency on security

The Ondo State government has been urged to declare a security emergency following a series of recent events that threaten peace in the state.

The call was made by a concerned citizen, Mr Oladayo Osho, who described the spate of insecurity in Ondo State in recent times as alarming.

Osho, in a statement made available to journalists on Friday, said, “It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of responsibility that I make this statement. Ondo State, our home and pride, is gradually slipping into an abyss of lawlessness, fear, and anarchy.

“In the past few months, the peace once enjoyed by the people of Ondo has been replaced by a reign of terror. Entire communities are being ransacked. Innocent citizens are being abducted, maimed, and killed.

“Roads have become hunting grounds for bandits. Families are being torn apart. Businesses are shutting down. The people are crying out, but those in authority are not listening.

“This is not a political vendetta. This is not propaganda. This is the raw truth staring every citizen in the face. Ondo State is bleeding, and the government is watching. Our people are dying, and those entrusted to protect them are nowhere to be found. Fear has replaced faith. Despair has overtaken hope. The people feel abandoned, unprotected, and betrayed.

“To the federal government, I say this: Ondo State is not a forgotten territory. It is not a periphery. It is a vital part of this country and deserves the same urgency and attention given to other troubled regions. The killings and kidnappings in Ondo are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a larger failure of national security coordination.

“I also call on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society, and the media to speak out. Silence is no longer an option. We must collectively demand accountability. We must amplify the cries of the people. We must refuse to be intimidated or silenced while our land burns.

“To my fellow citizens of Ondo, do not lose hope. You are not alone. Your voices matter. Your lives matter. Continue to speak up. Continue to organise. Continue to demand better. We owe it to ourselves, to our children, and to the legacy of those who built this land with sweat and sacrifice.

“I urge the state government to declare a security emergency. Mobilise all available resources. Engage community leaders. Empower local vigilantes with proper training and coordination. Work hand in hand with federal security agencies. Open channels for intelligence gathering. Create rapid response units. And above all, be present and visible in every affected region.

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