The Osun State Government has initiated a meeting with monarchs from boundary communities within the state to address the escalating security challenges in those regions. Concerns have been raised due to recent incidents of violent crimes, such as kidnappings and assaults on villagers in neighboring communities in Ondo State, causing unease among residents of Osun towns that share borders with Ondo. The fear is that the insecurity in Ondo could potentially extend into Osun through the interconnected forests between the two states.
Residents of Owena-Ijesa, situated as the last Osun community on the Osun/Ondo boundary along the Ilesa/Akure Expressway, have expressed their apprehensions. They are advocating for enhanced security measures, especially in villages located far from main roads. There are warnings that without proactive government intervention, the insecurity prevalent in Ondo’s villages might permeate into Osun.
Responding to these concerns, the Special Adviser on Security Matters in Osun, Mr. Samuel Ojo, disclosed that the state government has arranged a security meeting tailored towards border towns, slated for Thursday. The meeting will involve various security stakeholders such as Service Commanders, monarch representatives from the border towns, Area Commanders, DPOs, DSS, NSCDC, Amotekun, Vigilante groups, Hunters, and other security agencies operating in the border areas.
Kazeem Oyatope, a farmer from Owena-Ijesa, also emphasized the need for immediate government action to prevent attacks by armed individuals terrorizing villages in Ondo State.