Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking, cybercrime, cultism, kidnapping, and other security-related offences in the state.
The governor gave the assurance on Thursday while hosting a delegation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), led by its Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Cheikh Toure, at his office in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration places premium importance on security and the rule of law, which form the first pillar of his seven-point agenda.
He noted that the state government has consistently supported security agencies through intelligence gathering, prosecution, logistics, and technical assistance.
“In recent times, we distributed about 75 hybrid vehicles to security agents to aid their operations, especially in flashpoint areas across the state. We have also given massive support to the NDLEA to tackle illicit drug cultivation and trafficking, particularly cannabis, which grows freely in some parts of the state,” the governor stated.
Aiyedatiwa also highlighted youth-focused initiatives such as the One Youth, One Skill programme, designed to equip young people with vocational training and startup grants, thereby discouraging them from crime.
“Our ultimate goal is to build a resilient society where our youths are positively engaged and our communities live in peace and dignity. That is why we are ready to partner with the United Nations and other stakeholders to tackle crimes collectively,” he added.
In his remarks, Mr. Toure commended the Aiyedatiwa-led government for its efforts in security, youth empowerment, and economic development.
He noted that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of drug addiction globally, stressing the need for preventive strategies such as education, community-based interventions, and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
Toure assured that the UNODC would deepen its partnership with Ondo State to strengthen youth resilience, enhance prosecution capacity, and reduce drug abuse and other crimes.
“Ondo State has shown commendable commitment, and we are here to see how best to consolidate our work at the grassroots level, especially in empowering young people and strengthening institutions to curb crime,” he said.
