Political Rivalry Affects Osun's Fight Against Kidnapping

From Ora to Ijebu Jesa and Waasinmi, towns along Osun State’s borders face more kidnappings and armed attacks. But the problem is not just rising abduction cases. There is also a serious issue with how the state government and local councils work together on security, reports Bola Bamigbola.

Osun State has seen its fair share of violent crimes lately, with little success from the state government and the management of its 30 local councils in keeping the state safe.

While calling Osun completely unsafe may be too strong, it is fair to say the state is becoming more open to violent crimes, especially kidnappings.

Located between states struggling with serious abduction issues, Osun State, which is 35 years old, still lacks a strong plan to effectively deal with the growing threat.

Osun is in Nigeria’s South-West, bordered by Oyo and Kwara to the north, Ekiti and Ondo to the east, and Ogun to the south. The state has a key position, linking the western and eastern parts of the South-West.

But observers believe the lack of coordination in handling insecurity is due to the current political situation. The Accord Party runs the state government, while local councils are mostly controlled by the All Progressives Congress.

Even though both sides have launched initiatives to tackle insecurity, political rivalry keeps them apart. This division makes it hard to create a united security plan.

Weak Response

In the past six months, many victims of kidnappings in the state were freed only after paying ransoms that reached millions of naira. None of the victims were rescued by security forces.

A closer look at the crime patterns shows that many kidnappings happened in communities near Osun’s borders with other states.

This trend raises questions about the government’s ability to secure its borders against criminals escaping from nearby areas that have worsening insecurity.

One early case involved Emmanuel Owolabi, who was kidnapped in Ora, a border community close to Kwara State. His abduction led to several similar cases between December 2025 and May 2026.

After nearly four weeks in captivity, Owolabi was released in a Kwara community after paying an undisclosed ransom.

Just weeks later, bandits attacked Ora again from the Kwara side on February 1 and kidnapped two residents, who were also freed after about four weeks in captivity.

In April, the kidnappings moved to Waasinmi, near the Osun-Oyo border. A Bororo Fulani man named Sulaimon was taken by kidnappers who demanded ransom for his release.

On May 4, another kidnapping occurred in Ijebu Jesa, where a herdsman named Yahaya Suleimon was abducted. The kidnappers asked for N70 million, though an undisclosed amount was paid for his release days later.

Among all these cases, only in Ijebu Jesa did security agencies announce arrests.

Motion, Little Movement

In response to the rising kidnappings near Osun, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has stepped up security patrols in border communities with Kwara State.

Interestingly, the Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, Samuel Idowu, also leads the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Osun, which is mainly made up of APC chairmen.

Tension continues in the state as ALGON’s leadership under Idowu is caught up in legal battles with officials elected from the Peoples Democratic Party during the February 22, 2025 local elections, who are aligned with Governor Adeleke.

The Adeleke administration has not only increased patrols but also set up the Osun Security Trust Fund to gather resources for security operations and provide equipment for agencies in the state.

At the same time, local councils led by APC officials have taken their own steps to improve security in Osun.

Recently, through ALGON, council chairmen gave about 300 motorcycles to security agencies. They also donated 30 operational vehicles to help with surveillance and quick responses.

But despite these efforts, kidnappings continue to happen in different parts of Osun, with little action from security forces.

Many observers feel that despite these many efforts, Osun seems to be "running fast while standing still" because of the lack of a joined-up security strategy between the state government and local councils.

Residents Warn

In interviews with The PUNCH, residents from border communities in Osun warned that political differences between the state government and local councils must not get in the way of fighting insecurity.

Jide Akinyooye, Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union Board of Trustees, said residents in Orolu Local Government Area, near Oyo State, are becoming more vulnerable.

He noted the efforts by both the state and local councils to prevent criminal activities through the Ogbomoso area, but he raised concerns over the lack of cooperation between the two governments.

Akinyooye said, "The gap in political administration from withheld local government funds in Osun must not be an excuse for security failures. Protecting lives and property is a constitutional duty that cannot be paused due to financial disagreements."

He added, "The rise in banditry and attacks near Ogbomoso is a warning for Osun. Orolu is the closest border to Ogbomoso, and in today’s security climate, being close is a risk."

According to him, "Orolu shares a weak border with Ogbomoso. Criminals pushed out by security in Oyo often cross state lines to escape pressure. Without visible security, border LGAs become routes for criminals. Orolu’s position makes it a prime target if not properly policed."

He continued, "As bandits get a foothold in one area, they expand to neighboring communities for targets and safe passage. Orolu’s rural areas and roads make it vulnerable if left under-policed."

Akinyooye warned, "If security fails, farmers and traders will suffer. If security worsens, food supply chains will break, markets will shrink, and more people will move to cities. The cost to Osun’s economy and public trust will be immediate."

He concluded, "Waiting for an attack in Orolu means reacting under pressure, with more casualties. A proactive deployment of police and community intelligence now can stop criminals before they settle in."

Similar concerns were shared by residents of Oke-Ila, bordering Ekiti State, and Akeem Olomola from Owena, near the Osun-Ondo boundary. They said the lack of teamwork between state and local governments has hurt efforts to secure Osun.

Olomola asked, "Are the local councils part of the state’s security planning? Will they join security meetings held by Governor Adeleke?"

"Osun State Government and local councils act like two parallel lines, and that won't help them deal with the criminals effectively."

He added, "They don’t trust each other. They are not willing to share ideas. This is a dangerous situation, and we can only hope it doesn’t get worse."

ALGON Reacts

During the handover of 30 vehicles to security agencies, Samuel Idowu, the Osun State chairman of ALGON, said councils are committed to protecting residents and supporting security efforts.

Idowu said the councils will keep investing in efforts to promote peace, security, and development in Osun. He stated, "We will not stop investing in initiatives that promote security, peace, and development. Together, we can build a safer and more prosperous Osun State."

Osun Government

In response to concerns about the lack of teamwork between the state and local councils, the Osun State Government assured residents that political differences won’t compromise security.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, admitted that political disagreements might affect coordination but insisted that the Adeleke administration is dedicated to protecting lives and property.

Ojo accused the APC-controlled local councils of acting alone, saying, "They are running a parallel government alongside the state government. So, what do you do? We will not fight. We will keep the security of our people as our top priority."

He added, "The administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke is committed to keeping Osun safe, and that is what we will continue to do."