The Ondo State Government has assured residents of adequate security of lives and property, irrespective of tribe or religion.
The assurance was given by the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, when he led a delegation on Monday, to Ikaram Akoko to pay a condolence visit to families of victims of the Jos attack, in which 28 lives were lost.
The victims of Saturday’s attack were Fulanis, born and brought up in Ondo State, who were returning home after attending the annual Zikr (prayer session) in Bauchi to mark the commencement of the new Islamic Year.
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Aiyedatiwa said that the government was sad about the killings and had commiserated with the families and relatives of the victims.
The Deputy Governor noted that the government had been protecting lives and property, irrespective of tribe or religion and would not relent, urging residents to continue to be law abiding and allow the security agencies to handle the matter as they were on top of the issue.
Aiyedatiwa stated that Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Plateau state counterpart, Simon Lalong, had met and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to book, with some already arrested.
“The people that are affected are residents of Ondo State, by extension they are our people. Some of them were born here and they do not know any other state than Ondo State as their state of residence.
“Some migrated here for over 30 to 40 years ago, they have been here. As a government, part of our duty is to protect all and sundry; indigenes and residents, even visitors. We need to provide security for all.
“We believe we need to visit the families, the community that is affected, to commiserate with them, so it’s a condolence visit to identify with the people, that what has happened is not just about the immediate families or the community only.
“It also affects the government because we represent the people and we are to serve the people and that is why we are here, to commiserate with the people. For the families of those that died, God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.
The Traditional Ruler of Ikaram Akoko community, Oba Andrew Momodu called on the security agencies to do their job diligently, saying that he had already commiserated with the affected Fulani community, while advising them to take solace in God and continue to be law abiding.
The royal father urged the Federal Government to prioritize the security of lives and property of citizens in the country.
One of the leaders of the Fulani Community, Alhaji Tefiu commended the State government delegation for the visit.
Some of the officials on the entourage included, the Senior Special Assistant on Security (SSA), Mr Jimoh Dojumo, SSA on Youth and Students Affairs, Mr Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi and Adetunji Adeleye, the Commander of the State security outfit, Amotekun Corps.