Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that security agencies recently thwarted an alleged plan to bomb the Ondo State Government House, describing the development as one of several quiet successes recorded in the state’s efforts to tackle insecurity.
The governor made the revelation on Wednesday night during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today while assessing the security situation in Ondo State following the conviction of individuals connected to the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo.
According to Aiyedatiwa, the planned attack was uncovered about three to four months ago after intelligence reports alerted security operatives to the activities of a group of young persons allegedly plotting to strike the seat of government.
He explained that the suspects initially checked into a hotel before moving into a rented apartment, where security personnel later recovered items and equipment believed to be linked to the planned attack.
“Following intelligence reports, the police and Amotekun moved in, raided the location, arrested the suspects, and they remain in custody,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa stated that investigators have yet to determine the exact motive behind the alleged plot but stressed that the incident highlights the security threats facing the state and the importance of sustained vigilance.
The governor noted that many successful security operations often remain unnoticed because attacks are stopped before they can 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 security initiatives across the South-West, Aiyedatiwa said governors in the region are maintaining close cooperation to improve safety and strengthen intelligence gathering.
“What I am saying in essence is that we are talking to ourselves; we are working,” he said, adding that recent meetings among governors centred on boosting collaboration through regional security outfits such as Amotekun.
The governor also welcomed the conviction of four persons connected to the Owo church massacre, describing the verdict as a significant 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 several others injured after gunmen opened fire on worshippers during a Sunday service.
Aiyedatiwa said Ondo State has continued to reinforce its security framework through enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance and cooperation among the police, Amotekun, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local communities, assuring residents that the government remains committed to safeguarding lives and property.
