Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, says the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is taking proactive steps to fortify security across the state, especially along volatile border communities where criminal infiltration has become a recurring national concern.

Ajanaku stated this while addressing journalists in Akure, noting that the recent recruitment of 500 additional officers into the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, is part of the government’s frontline response to emerging threats around the state’s boundaries like Kogi, and Edo states.

According to the Commissioner, intelligence reports have shown that many criminal elements—including kidnappers, illegal miners, bandits and highway robbers—often attempt to gain entry into Ondo through border corridors.

He emphasised that the government is determined to stay ahead of such threats.

“We don’t want to experience any serious security breach before taking safety measures. The recruitment is a step ahead. The 500 recruited is the first phase; the target is 1,000,” Ajanaku said.

He explained that the new operatives will strengthen ongoing 24-hour patrols, deepen surveillance across forests and hinterlands, and reinforce checkpoints around strategic border routes known to be used by criminal gangs migrating between states.

Ajanaku further disclosed that the recruitment drive also aligns with the anticipated legislative decision on the establishment of state police.

“Because Amotekun will transform into the state police once the law is in place, we must begin to prepare the manpower and operational capacity now,” he noted.

The Commissioner also highlighted efforts to secure schools—particularly boarding facilities—following recent national incidents of student abductions in neighbouring states.

According to him, more trained Amotekun personnel will be deployed to monitor school environments, support security drills, and collaborate with school administrators to implement early-warning systems.

He reaffirmed that the Aiyedatiwa administration is investing heavily in improving intelligence gathering, community policing, and inter-state collaboration to ensure that Ondo remains one of the safest states in the region.