February 25, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
Akure, Nigeria — Rising insecurity in Ondo State has prompted legal practitioner Mr. Temokun to sound a serious alarm over frequent kidnappings and violent crime across the southwestern region, warning that the state is “gradually sliding into crisis” if urgent action is not taken.
In a statement circulated on social media on Wednesday, Mr. Temokun noted that residents across several local government areas have reported kidnappings, ransom demands, and armed abductions occurring with increasing frequency in some instances almost daily and called on both state and federal authorities to conduct a comprehensive security audit to address the deteriorating situation.
The lawyer told Sahara Reporters that while security agencies such as the Ondo State Amotekun Corps and local police have made arrests including suspects allegedly connected to kidnapping syndicates these efforts have not yet stemmed the tide of insecurity or restored a sustained sense of safety for residents.
Public reaction in the state capital, Akure, has been one of alarm and frustration, with many residents expressing concern at the perceived frequency of recent abductions and violent crimes. Community leaders have described the trend as intolerable, warning that it risks undermining economic activity, education, and social stability if left unchecked.
Recent Law Enforcement Activity
Security forces in Ondo State have undertaken several crackdowns on criminal gangs in recent weeks. For example:
- The state-level Amotekun Corps recently made multiple arrests, including dozens of suspected kidnappers and other criminal elements as part of ongoing operations across the region.
- The Nigeria Police Force’s Ondo State Command has also arrested individuals believed to be tied to kidnappings and ransom-related offences, recovering ransom cash and motorbikes in joint anti-kidnapping operations.
While officials have underscored these arrests as proof of active engagement against crime, critics say arrests alone have not halted attacks or provided adequate deterrence, particularly in outlying rural communities.
Call for Comprehensive Security Audit
Temokun urged government authorities — including the Ondo State Government, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and federal agencies — to conduct a security audit involving independent experts, security chiefs, community stakeholders, and civil society. He argued that such an audit could identify critical vulnerabilities and gaps in existing security arrangements that kidnappers and militants exploit.
According to the lawyer, a thorough review would help ensure that:
- Security operations are better coordinated across all local government areas
- Intelligence-sharing among agencies is effective
- Community policing and grassroots security networks are strengthened
- Hotspots are identified and responded to with sufficient manpower and logistics
Broader Security Dynamics
Ondo State, long considered relatively peaceful compared with northern and central regions of Nigeria, has seen a notable uptick in reports of abductions and ransom-related attacks in the past year. Analysts attribute part of the increase to trans-regional criminal networks bringing illicit activity deeper into the southwest corridor, stretching existing security deployments.
Security experts warn that unchecked kidnappings can erode community trust, disrupt commerce and agriculture, and undermine public confidence in state institutions if not addressed decisively.
Government Response Still Pending
As of this reporting, representatives from the Ondo State Police Command and the Amotekun Corps have not publicly commented on Temokun’s call for a security audit, though police spokespersons have reaffirmed ongoing efforts to pursue and dismantle criminal syndicates in the state.
Residents and civil society groups are now watching closely to see whether authorities will move beyond tactical arrests toward a comprehensive strategy that strongly deters kidnappings and restores a secure environment for all residents.