Residents of Ogun State have identified several forest routes allegedly being used by bandits and kidnappers to infiltrate communities and carry out criminal activities across parts of the state.
The concerns were raised amid increasing reports of abductions and insecurity, particularly within the Ijebu axis of Ogun State.
Speaking on the development, the National Coordinator of the Food and Farmers’ Rights Campaign, John Eko, alleged that forests surrounding Imodi/Imosan, Ago-Iwoye, Imope/Oke-Eri, Ijebu-Ijesa, Okun-Owa, and Ikangba/Agoro have become major hideouts for criminal elements operating in the area.
According to Eko, the forests serve as safe havens for kidnappers and bandits who exploit the difficult terrain to evade security operatives and launch attacks on residents.
He further disclosed that the suspected criminals reportedly gain access through major routes including the Ijebu Ode-Ibadan Expressway, Ago-Iwoye-Imodi Road, and the Old Lagos-Benin Road along the Ikangba/Agoro-Okun-Owa corridor.
Eko also identified a vast stretch of uncultivated land bordering the Oyo Forest Reserve as another suspected refuge for criminal gangs operating within the region.
Recent findings indicate that more than five kidnapping incidents have been recorded within the Ijebu area in recent weeks, with victims’ families reportedly paying millions of naira as ransom to secure their release.
Ogun Government Reassures Residents
Responding to the security concerns, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, assured residents that the state government has intensified security operations through proactive and intelligence-driven strategies.
Akinmade stated that security agencies have strengthened inter-agency collaboration, coordinated patrols, stop-and-search operations, surveillance activities, and extensive bush-combing exercises across vulnerable communities.
According to him, recent security operations carried out in identified flashpoints led to the neutralisation of some suspected kidnappers, the arrest of several others, and the successful rescue of abducted victims held within forest corridors.
He added that special attention is being given to border communities, isolated settlements, forest corridors, and suspected infiltration routes linking Ogun State with neighbouring states.
Police Intensify Surveillance
The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, also reaffirmed the commitment of the police to maintaining security across the state.
Odutola noted that Ogun’s strategic position as a gateway state requires continuous vigilance and robust security measures.
She explained that the command has strengthened intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, aggressive patrols, and coordinated policing strategies aimed at preventing criminal elements from establishing a foothold within the state.
The police spokesperson assured residents that security agencies remain committed to safeguarding lives and property while sustaining efforts to deny criminals access to communities across Ogun State.
