Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has revealed that security operatives recently foiled a plot to bomb the state government house, calling it one of several silent victories in the ongoing fight against insecurity. The governor made the disclosure Wednesday night on Channels Television’s Politics Today, reflecting on the state’s security landscape after the conviction of suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.
Aiyedatiwa said intelligence reports about three to four months ago alerted security agencies to suspicious activities by a group of youths allegedly plotting to target the seat of government. The suspects initially checked into a hotel before moving into a rented apartment, where operatives later discovered materials and equipment tied to the planned operation.
“Following intelligence reports, the police and Amotekun moved in, raided the location, arrested the suspects, and they remain in custody,” the governor said. He noted that investigators have not yet established the exact motive behind the alleged plot but stressed the incident underscores the security challenges confronting the state and the need for constant vigilance.
Aiyedatiwa emphasized that many successful security operations go unnoticed because attacks are prevented before they occur. “So much work is being done. Security is one responsibility that leaders carry that is not so visible to everybody. It is only when there is a lapse that it will look as if the government has not been doing enough. We have been doing so much,” he said.
Speaking on regional security efforts, the governor said South-West governors are working closely to strengthen safety and intelligence gathering. “What I am saying in essence is that we are talking to ourselves; we are working,” he said, adding that recent meetings focused on enhancing collaboration through regional security outfits like Amotekun.
Aiyedatiwa also welcomed the conviction of four individuals linked to the Owo church massacre, describing the judgment as a major victory for justice and the rule of law. “For us in Ondo State, we are happy that this judgment is a victory for the rule of law and for all the victims attacked, not just in Owo, Ondo State, but all who have been attacked at one time or the other by these terrorists,” he said.
The June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo claimed more than 40 lives and left many others injured after gunmen opened fire on worshippers during a Sunday service. Aiyedatiwa said Ondo State continues to strengthen its security architecture through improved intelligence gathering, surveillance, and collaboration among the police, Amotekun, the Department of State Services, and local communities, assuring residents that the government remains committed to protecting lives and property.
