The  launch of Operation Daada, a joint  security patrol initiative by the Ondo State government, aimed at combating the resurgence of kidnappings, killings and other  criminal activities in the state has brought a great relief to the people of the state.

    THE initiative brings together all security agencies and paramilitary forces in the state to conduct  coordinated patrols across identified flashpoints of criminal activities.

     THE joint team comprises of the  police, the Nigerian  Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Army and  Amotekun Corps.           `     THE initiative came in  response to security threats, especially in the rural areas where farmers and travelers have been frequent  targets  of kidnappers and armed groups.

IN the recent time, there has  been a   resurgence in the country. It  is on record  that Federal Capital Territory is the second most affected state in the North-Central region accounting for 22% and trailing only Niger with 25% from 2019 to 2023. Worse still, between 2019 and 2023, kidnappings in Abuja increased by 20%. Furthermore, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, ranks fifth in the nation for kidnappings.

 THE spate of the kidnapping, the audacity of the perpetrators, and the seeming “slowness” of the security agencies in tracing the bold perpetrators and rescuing the victims leave critics and concerned residents speechless with outrage.

IN 2024, at least 400 people were taken from a displaced persons’ camp by suspected Boko Haram fighters, Amnesty International reported. Days later, armed “bandits” on motorbikes arrived at a primary school in Kuriga, North West Nigeria, and “herded” around 300 students from the grounds.

  ALSO,  15 pupils were kidnapped from a boarding school in the North Western state of Sokoto. More than 3,600 people were kidnapped in Nigeria in 2023, “the most ever” recorded, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data figures.

IN the recent time, there have been resurgence in the caseS of kidnappings and killings in Ondo State there have been several reported kidnap cases in some  parts of the state, the recent case of nine surveyors kidnapped at a site in Ilu-Abo, Akure North Local Government area of the  State, left a chill in the hearts of residents, leading to a protest in the Akure metropolis  a  women group who besieged  the governor’s office on a save our soul protest. The victims were  released after a ransom of N20 million was paid.

   According to the Commander of Ondo State Security Network; (Amotekun Corps) Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, Operation Daada is designed to ensure   swift response to  the menace of kidnapping

THE resurgence in kidnapping may not be divorced from the fact that the bandits have now discovered soft targets and spots in some towns, where there is less security presence,  which informed the state government’s directive to Amotekun to establish security posts at farm settlements in the state, No doubt, the attacks on farmers in their farms constitute a huge setback to the agricultural and economic growth of the state as many would-be farmers shy away from farming in such areas, so as not to become easy prey for kidnappers.

ACCORDING to the Centre for Democracy Development, the Nigerian government can significantly reduce kidnapping, gangs’ incentives, and capabilities by implementing a motorcycle identification system, strengthening the NIN policy, and moving towards a cashless economy. The country must also embrace technological advancements, improve collaboration among various stakeholders, and work tirelessly to create a safer and more secure nation.

WHILE commending Ondo State Government for the  timely intervention with the launch of ‘Operation Daada’ to curb kidnapping  and other criminal acts in the State, we also call on the government   not to rest on its oars about the issue of insecurity. They should fund security operatives more, and provide state-of-the-art equipment for effective policing.

WE also wish to commend the Nigeria Military as it is doing well in dealing with banditry in the north. In this vein, Nigerians should be more encouraged to provide intelligence as the security outfits cannot do it alone. We would also like to reiterate that until Nigeria gets to the level of state police, it is not likely that the nation will get out of the woods.