ONDO State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has recounted how security operatives, through intelligence gathering and collaboration between the Police and state security outfit, Amotekun, foiled a plot to bomb the Ondo State Government House, Akure, about four months ago.
Speaking on a television programme on Thursday, June 4, Aiyedatiwa reflected on the security situation in the state following the conviction and sentencing of suspects linked to the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo that resulted to the death and injury of scores of worshippers, said the attempt underscored the constant security threats confronting the state and the need for continued vigilance, despite the absence of another large-scale terror attack since the Owo attack.
“I will give you an example. I think it is about three or four months ago, some youths, about five of them, wanted to bomb the Government House.
“They were in a hotel and then moved into a rented apartment. They had all the equipment, all the gadgets. We got an intelligence report and the Police and Amotekun moved in, busted the house where they were, arrested them and they are still in detention right now.”
The governor said the motive behind the plot remained unclear, adding: “Their mission was to bomb the Government House. For what reason? Only God knows.”
He said the successful operation demonstrated that security agencies were actively working behind the scenes to prevent attacks, even when such efforts did not receive public attention, noting: “Security is one responsibility that leaders carry that is not so visible to everybody.
“It is only when there is a lapse or an incident that happens that it will look as if the government has not been doing enough.
“We have been doing so much, so much.”
Aiyedatiwa had earlier welcomed and described the conviction of suspects in the Owo massacre as a victory for justice, the rule of law and the families of the victims, while appreciating all the people those involved in securing the judgment, including security agencies, the judiciary for their courage in prosecution, the media and, of course, the people of Ondo State for their resilience.
He recalled the shock that greeted the attack, saying: “It was really a sad day, a dark Sunday. They came in to kill and to destroy. They did not take any money. They did not steal anything.”
He said though there were no immediate arrests following the attack, intelligence gathered by security agencies eventually led to the arrest of suspects by Amotekun, the Police and Department of State Services (DSS).
Thegovernor said the state had since strengthened its security architecture, improved collaboration among security agencies and increased surveillance across communities and border entry points, and security agencies regularly receive intelligence reports about potential attacks and remain on high alert, adding: “We get reports several times that terrorists are coming to attack. Every day we prepare. Every 24/7 we are on alert.”
He restated his support for the establishment of State Police, arguing that local security outfits, such as Amotekun, would be more effective if empowered by law to bear sophisticated weapons and complement existing security agencies.
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