By Aderemi Bamgbose
Security experts have sought stronger collaboration among Ondo State government, security agencies, local security outfits and residents to tackle the security challenges currently confronting the state.
The experts spoke in Okitipupa on Thursday at the Ondo South Security and Safety Summit 2025, with the theme: “To Whom Safety is Given, Security is Expected.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was organised by Institute of Industrial Security and Safety of Nigeria (IISSN), Abuja.
The experts said that security of lives and property must not be left in the hands of government alone, as it was the duties of all.
They also commended Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Chief Adetunji Adeleye, Commander of Amotekun Corps for prioritising security of lives and property of residents of the state.
A security expert, Dr Alfred Olanrewaju-Odeyeni, while delivering his paper, expressed the regret that Ondo that used to be one of the safest states in the South-West zone, had now turned into something else, particularly with kidnappings which had become rampant.
Olanrewaju-Odeyeni recalled the June 5, 2022 mass shooting at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, saying that it was an experience that would not be forgotten in a hurry.
He suggested that the traditional institution, women and youths should not be left out of the security arrangement in the state, as they have critical roles to play.
“The state should also build its plan on five important pillars of prevention, participation, protection, promotion and prosecution, which will strengthen the state’s responses to conflict management and prevention framework.
“Tackling terrorism and violent extremism is paramount to national interest and can be effectively achieved through bilateral and multilateral collaborations, and Amotekun Corps should be given utmost support and adequate intelligence information.
An expert in security information and management, Mr Yemi Adetoyinbo, said that all stakeholders and citizens generally must take adequate measures to prevent insecurity, especially through whistle blowing.
He urged security agencies to always act upon classified, confidential and restricted information to guard against insecurity and for the protection of lives and property of citizens.
Adetoyinbo also suggested effective communication, huge security votes, public support, use of technological security devices, intelligence gathering, ban on proliferation of weapons and arms as well as regular patrols by security agencies as part of ways of curbing insecurity in the state.
“Establishment of vigilante and para-military bodies by hunters in the communities must ensure needed complements, not rivalries, with existing security agencies, to address the security challenges,” he said.
In his own submission, a don, Prof. Adekunle Olatumile, urged governments at all levels to rise up against insecurity, maintaining that security of lives and property must be the first priority of every government.
NAN reports that Olatumile, who is the Director, Centre for Distance Learning, Department of Adult Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, was also the guest speaker at the occasion.
He said that government must employ technological innovation to tackle insecurity, in collaboration with security agencies who would gather intelligence information on the criminals and their hideouts.
“Effective collaborations between government and other security agencies and employing technological innovations in tacking insecurity cannot be over-emphasied because security of lives and property must be the priority of governments at all levels,” Olatumile said.
In his opening remarks, Convener of the summit, Mr Rotimi Adekeye-Akindejoye, said that security of lives and property should not be left for government and security agencies alone, as it was everybody’s business.
Adekeye-Akindejoye stressed the need for quarterly security meetings at local government level, evaluation of security situations, sharing of local intelligence, inclusion of local security outfits, inter-agency cooperation, provision of security equipment and improved welfare of security operatives, among others.
“We cannot afford to fold our arms while violence, killings, kidnappings and acts of terrorism continue to plague communities, because to whom security is given, security is expected,” he said.
Mr Luyi Igbekele, Director of Operations IISSN, said that the summit was put together by the institute to strategically solve the security challenges in the country.
Igbekele, who said that IISSN was a registered professional body established for development, regulation, certification and standardisation of professional practice of security and safety, urged local security operatives to undergo some courses that would make them to become certified security and safety managers.
NAN reports that the summit was attended by representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Denfence Corps, Nigeria Hunters Association, Agbekoya, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, politicians and members of the public. (NAN)
Experts seek stakeholders’ collaboration in addressing security challenges in Ondo
