EXCLUSIVE: Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa Gives Zero Funding To Amotekun Capital Expenditure Despite Buying N1.9billion Armoured Vehicles

A SaharaReporters' review of the Ondo State third-quarter budget performance document for the 2025 fiscal year has shown that zero naira was spent on the security outfit’s capital expenditure in nine months. 

According to the document, a sum of N2.3billion was budgeted for the Amotekun Corps’ capital needs, with nothing spent between January and September.

Further review shows that the money was earmarked for "Purchase of security equipments/infrastructures: Purchase of five numbers Armoured personnel carriers."

This development comes despite the security pledges made by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

In August 2024, the state government website posted that "Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on  assured that the South West Security Network (Amotekun) has come to stay in Ondo State and will be funded to improve its operations."

In 2024 also, only N258 million was spent on the security Corps capital expenditure despite a budgeted N900 million for the purpose.

Meanwhile, a SaharaReporters' review of the same document revealed that the state government spent N1.9 billion to purchase an armoured vehicle for the governor and a luxury vehicle for the Secretary to the State Government.

The budget description reads:"Purchase of one number armoured vehicle for Ag Governor, one number Prado Jeep for SSG and one numbers GAC."

While the original budget was N2 billion, the amount spent between January and September stood at N1.950 billion.

Ondo State has witnessed rising insecurity — a menace that Amotekun was established to tackle.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that insecurity in the state led to the killing of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 5, Ifon, Ose Local Government Area, Nelson Adepoyigi.

He was kidnapped at his residence in Ifon before being reportedly killed by his abductors.

The Chairman of Ose Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Clement Kolapo Ojo, had confirmed the development in a statement issued by his media aide, Oluwaseun Ogunniyi.

"While we are grateful that the two volunteers have now regained their freedom, it is deeply saddening and utterly painful that the life of Nelson Adepoyigi was brutally cut short by his captors," the statement read in part.

"The entire leadership and people of Ose Local Government mourn this tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and political associates of the deceased."

"We are now at a critical juncture where security challenges have become a serious threat to the safety and freedom of our people. Only a few days before this incident, another resident narrowly escaped being kidnapped while parking his motorcycle."

"This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension."

"We urge our people to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security post, and stand united as we work together to overcome this threat."

In another press statement, the LGA declared a three-day mourning period for the deceased Adepoyigi.

In April, SaharaReporters reported that men suspected to be herdsmen stormed the Ajagbusi community in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing three farmers on their way to their farmland.

It was gathered that the victims, who were riding a motorcycle, were ambushed and gunned down in cold blood by the assailants, who fled the scene immediately after the attack.

Ondo State has a long history of insecurity. In 2022, hundreds of women across four local government areas in the state protested against worsening security challenges.

The women, who took to the streets of Oka Akoko, Akungba Akoko, and other Akoko towns, demanded improved security from both the state and federal governments.

In September 2024, despite complaints by Amotekun corps members about government neglect and lack of accountability, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa engaged a private security firm, Global Olabod Resources Limited, to protect farmers.

This move came despite the fact that the Amotekun Corps was established primarily to address farmer-herder clashes in the state.

At a meeting in Idanre Local Government Area, the chairman of the private firm partnering with the state, Eniola Ogunbodede, represented by Debo Ariyo, stated that the governor intended to protect farmers through the organization.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that members of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps had voiced frustrations over the lack of formal appointment letters despite their prolonged service.

The issue has been linked to the leadership’s alleged attempt to conceal the actual number of personnel, potentially to evade government oversight.

According to sources, allegations of embezzlement have also surfaced within the corps. Insiders expressed concern over the lack of official appointment and confirmation letters for corps members who risk their lives daily.

They attribute this situation to alleged neglect by the current government, which has led to low morale among personnel.