Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has vowed to deal decisively with kidnappers and those sponsoring criminal activities in the state.

Speaking during a meeting with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Akure, the governor said security agencies had already arrested about 90 suspects linked to kidnapping and related crimes.

He warned that anyone found supporting criminal activity would face the full weight of the law.

“Crime is usually carried out by syndicates, some Fulani, some locals. Some provide information about movements while others take victims into the forest,” he said.

The meeting was part of ongoing consultations with community leaders and herders’ groups to address growing security concerns in parts of Ondo State.

Why it matters

Kidnapping for ransom has become a growing security challenge across several parts of Nigeria, affecting communities, businesses and travel.

In Ondo State, authorities say some criminal groups operate from forested areas and sometimes exploit cattle-grazing routes to move unnoticed.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said intelligence reports suggested that criminal elements displaced by security operations in neighbouring states such as Kwara State and Kogi State may be attempting to move into Ondo.

“If investigations trace any criminal activity to anyone, whether they have legitimate business or not, they will be treated like criminals. No godfather, sponsor or collaborator will be spared,” the governor said.

Protest raises tension in Ilu-Abo community

Security concerns recently triggered protests by youths in the Ilu-Abo area, where residents blocked a major junction over kidnapping incidents.

The governor said the community had recorded three kidnapping cases within two months, describing the situation as worrying.

He revealed that representatives of the landlords’ association had earlier met with him to discuss improved security measures.

“Just yesterday, representatives of the landlords’ association of that community were here with me and we had discussions. We agreed on what we have to do there,” he said.

According to him, the state police command has been directed to deploy additional patrol vehicles to strengthen security in the area.

However, the governor criticised the protest, warning that demonstrations could easily be hijacked by criminals.

“That is why we always tell people that protest should not be the first line of action. When you start it, you don’t know who is who. When it is hijacked, other crimes can follow,” he said.

Government seeks cooperation from herders

The meeting with MACBAN leaders focused on strengthening collaboration between security agencies and herders’ communities.

The governor said many cattle rearers were legitimate business operators but warned that some criminals were hiding among them.

“We know many of you are doing legitimate businesses. But there are some who rustle cattle or use cattle as shield to move into territories,” he said.

“You are the ones who can identify them because you know your profession and your people. Some of your members are also victims of cattle rustling.”

He added that the government was considering a proposal to establish vigilante groups within Fulani communities, although such groups would require approval and supervision from security agencies.

Fulani leaders respond

Chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ali Abubakar Maunde, said insecurity had become a concern for everyone in the state.

He stressed that criminal activities should not be blamed solely on Fulani herders.

“There are many people behind these crimes, not just Fulani alone. But we, as representatives of the Fulani, are working day and night to eradicate bad elements among us,” he said.

Maunde said the association planned to engage herders across local government areas to identify criminals and strengthen cooperation with security agencies.

He also proposed the creation of Fulani vigilante groups made up of herders familiar with forests and grazing routes.

What’s next

The Ondo State government says it will continue consultations with community leaders, security agencies and herders’ groups to prevent security threats.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said intelligence sharing would be key to dismantling kidnapping networks operating in the region.

“As long as I remain governor, anybody can live freely in any part of the country, including Ondo State. But when you are here, obey the law of the land and conduct your business within the ambit of the law,” he said.

The Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN West Africa) says it will launch a digital platform designed to document peacebuilding efforts across Nigeria and make them more visible to policymakers, researchers and the public.

The platform, called the Nigeria Peace Web (NPW), will be presented during a User Engagement Dialogue scheduled for Wednesday, 11 March 2026, in Abuja.

The event will take place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation and is expected to bring together peacebuilding actors, civil society groups, researchers and government officials.

Why it matters

According to CORN West Africa, global discussions about security often focus heavily on conflict statistics, while peace initiatives happening within communities receive little attention.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Timpreye Felix Allison, said the imbalance has limited understanding of how communities are working to resolve conflicts.

“Peace and peacebuilding activities deserve the same visibility and analytical attention that conflicts and insurgencies currently receive in global discourse,” Dr Allison said.

“Across many communities in Nigeria and West Africa, peace initiatives are happening every day, yet they are rarely documented in ways that inform research, policy, or public understanding.”

The project is supported by funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) under the SPRiNG Programme.

Dr Allison said the platform aims to provide verified data to help inform policy decisions and strengthen peacebuilding programmes.

“The goal of this platform is simple,” he added. “If conflict data matters for policy and research, peace data should matter as well.”

A region facing rising insecurity

Security challenges remain widespread across West Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions.

Research by the Small Arms Survey estimates that more than 11 million illicit small arms are circulating across West Africa.

Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reports that small arms and light weapons account for over 70% of weapons used in violent conflicts across the region.

Nigeria has been heavily affected by these trends.

Investigations by Amnesty International indicate that more than 10,000 people were killed in attacks by armed groups and criminal gangs in northern and central Nigeria between 2023 and 2025.

The violence involves multiple actors, including insurgents linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as armed bandit groups and kidnapping syndicates.

Since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, humanitarian estimates suggest that over 40,000 people have been killed and about two million displaced in Nigeria’s north-east.

States such as Plateau State, Kaduna State, and Katsina State have experienced persistent violence linked to banditry, communal tensions and kidnappings.

Peace work happening quietly

Despite the ongoing security challenges, Dr Allison said communities across Nigeria are actively working to prevent violence and resolve disputes.

Traditional rulers, youth groups, civil society organisations and faith-based institutions are often involved in mediation and reconciliation initiatives.

“The reality is that peace work is happening quietly in many communities,” he said.

“Traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups, and faith institutions are constantly mediating disputes and promoting dialogue. These efforts deserve to be documented and amplified.”

The Nigeria Peace Web platform aims to map these activities by collecting credible reports from researchers, journalists and civil society organisations.

What the platform will do

CORN West Africa says the platform will document peace events, actors and beneficiaries across Nigeria.

The information will help policymakers understand which community interventions are working and where additional support may be needed.

The platform is the main output of the Nigeria Peace Actors and Initiatives in Data (NPAID) project.

The pilot phase currently covers Plateau, Kaduna and Katsina states, with plans to expand to all 36 states of Nigeria.

What happens next

The User Engagement Dialogue in Abuja will allow potential users of the platform to test the system and suggest improvements.

Participants will include peacebuilding organisations, NGOs, researchers, policymakers, members of the diplomatic community and security sector representatives.

Dr Allison said the goal is to ensure the platform meets the needs of those working on peacebuilding in Nigeria.

“By mapping peace events, actors, and beneficiaries through credible reports from academia, journalists, and civil society organisations, we aim to strengthen knowledge sharing and support evidence-based peacebuilding.”

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, has called for integrity and transparency in the ongoing screening of applicants for the nationwide recruitment of 50,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr Jimoh made the appeal on 9 March 2026 while receiving officials overseeing the credentials and physical screening exercise at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

The screening team includes officers from the Nigeria Police Force and personnel of the Police Service Commission.

Officials say the exercise is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen policing capacity and improve public safety.

‘Uphold integrity and fairness’

Speaking during the meeting, Mr Jimoh urged the screening officials to follow the guidelines of the recruitment process strictly.

He said the credibility of the institutions involved depended on a transparent and fair process.

“The process must be conducted with the highest level of integrity, fairness, and transparency in order to uphold the credibility of the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, and the nation at large,” he said.

The police commissioner also emphasised the importance of maintaining public trust in the recruitment exercise.

Screening teams and oversight

The police screening team is led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Adebisi Balogun, while the team from the Police Service Commission is headed by Chief Administrative Officer Eleyinmi Akinola.

Authorities say the teams are working alongside other stakeholders, including the Federal Character Commission and the Police Community Relations Committee, to ensure fairness and national representation.

The screening involves verifying applicants’ credentials and assessing their physical fitness before final selection.

Why it matters

Nigeria has repeatedly faced criticism over transparency in public sector recruitment, including police enlistment.

Nigeria’s police authorities have in recent years announced plans to expand the force to improve security coverage across the country.

Warning against recruitment fraud

The Lagos police command warned applicants that the screening exercise is completely free.

Officials urged candidates to avoid individuals who demand payment or promise to influence the process.

“Applicants and members of the public are warned to beware of fraudsters or individuals who may demand money or promise assistance in influencing the process,” the command said.

Applicants have also been advised to attend the screening only on their scheduled dates and to bring all required documents.

These include invitation slips, national identity number printouts, academic certificates, birth certificates, and completed guarantor forms.

Applicants must also log into the official recruitment portal to confirm their screening schedule and print relevant forms.

What’s next

Screening of candidates is expected to continue across states as part of the nationwide recruitment drive.

Authorities say only applicants who successfully pass the credentials and physical screening will move to the next stage of the recruitment process.

The police say the exercise is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the force and improving security operations across Nigeria.