Akeredolu offers N50,000 reward to anyone who provides information on kidnappers and bandits

GOVERNOR Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State is offering a N50,000 reward to anyone who provides security operatives with information that can lead to the arrest of kidnappers and other criminals across the state.

Of late, Ondo State has seen more than its fair share of violence in the hands of kidnappers and terrorists suspected of being armed Fulani cattle herdsmen. In 2019, Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was killed near Ore in Ondo State and then early this year, gunmen opened fire on a church in Owo, killing 40 people.

According to Governor Akeredolu, exposing criminal elements within the state would help to check insecurity. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Ondo State information commissioner, said the new move was aimed at encouraging citizens to give useful and timely information about criminal activities in any part of the state.

She added: “From now on, anyone who reports a crime and we follow the trail and it leads to a successful prosecution of the criminal, that person will be offered a reward of N50,000. We want people in Ondo State to say something when they see something.

"We want our people to be proactive in the area of security to rid Ondo State of criminals, bandits and terrorists. The Toll-Free line is 0800-555-5555. Anybody can call to give security tips and report any criminal activities in his or her area.”