Who Will End Insecurity in Our State?
By Olusegun HOSEA
14th April, 2026.
The primary purpose of government is to protect the lives and property of the people. This is a constitutional responsibility that is not negotiable because those in authority carry the mandate of the people. Therefore, it is not the duty of the electorate to command security personnel to act in this regard. The people have given their political mandate, and they expect those in power to deliver on this responsibility. Anything short of this can be regarded as a failure and an irresponsible system of governance, because it is only when society is secure that development can thrive and attract investors to the state.
Indeed, the current situation in our state is becoming worrisome, as killings and kidnappings are taking place almost daily, with little or no action taken to apprehend the perpetrators or put a stop to these heinous crimes. Recently, some youths in the Imafon and Ilado axis expressed their grievances by protesting against the killings and kidnappings occurring in their communities. The affected families have lost loved ones, and such losses can never be replaced. While security agencies may investigate and attempt to make arrests, the painful reality remains that lives have been lost forever.
Who will end insecurity in our state? This is the question on the lips of the people, especially considering the security votes the government claims to be deploying to safeguard the state. Is there sabotage somewhere, or is it a deliberate act of negligence? Why should those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property watch while criminals operate freely without being arrested and flushed out? Just yesterday, youths in the state called for an end to the killings, reflecting how deeply the situation has deteriorated. Yet, there is still a government the people look up to for protection. If this continues, only God knows what the outcome will be if it is not properly managed.
In fact, insecurity has spread across the length and breadth of the state. The Akoko axis is heavily affected, Owo is not spared, and even the state capital is experiencing its share of the crisis. The southern part, particularly the Ilaje area, has also recorded disturbing incidents of violence. So, where are we heading if this problem cannot be contained? Can strangers, or non-indigenes as they are often called, become more powerful than the indigenes? Or is the leadership playing politics with the lives of citizens? This should not be the case. Government must give clear and firm directives to security personnel to do the needful.
When similar situations occurred in Ekiti State, decisive actions were taken under the leadership of Ayodele Fayose, which helped restore calm, allowing farmers to return to their farms without fear. Our government should convene a roundtable meeting with traditional rulers, local government chairmen, the Hunters and heads of security agencies, mandating them to bring an end to killings and kidnappings in the state so that peace can reign. To achieve this, adequate funding must be provided, with strict conditions attached to ensure fare distribution to the appropriate quarters with accountability. No community should record incidents of insecurity without consequences for those responsible for maintaining peace in that area.
This objective can only be achieved if the necessary weapons and logistics are provided to those assigned to do the job. As the Yoruba saying goes, “Owó la fi ń ra iyì, òfé la ń gba ìtìjú” (Money is used to buy honour, while disgrace is given freely). Therefore, our politicians and leaders must be more committed to securing lives and property so that peace and tranquility can return to our land, and the investors we seek to attract will feel safe to come.
