Ondo State has been described as one of the safest states in Nigeria, following a recent report by the the United Kingdom tagging some states in the country as unsafe.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), affirmed this in an interview with The Hope, drawing from his interactions with the United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, when the state played host to the latter, recently.
The Justice Commissioner said the envoy and and his team members deliberately opted to lodge outside government facilities, apparently to feel the pulse of the state.
He said, “They came back highly impressed with the peaceful atmosphere across the state and the warm reception, hospitality and care shown by the people of Ondo State.”
The state, the Commissioner said, has maintained its reputation as a haven of peace and remains one of the most secure and tranquil states in the nation, making it habitable for both citizens and foreigners, as well as an attractive destination for investors.
According to him, contrary to the popular notion that Nigeria is battling insecurity and that some states are unsafe for foreigners, the visiting envoy attested that Ondo State is indeed safe.
“During his stay, he experienced peace, calm and tranquility throughout the visit.
“He visited the country recently and stayed in the state. He didn’t just pass by; he actually spent the night here,”
“Interestingly, he didn’t stay in any government facility but chose to lodge in a hotel, and that is very significant.
“For any envoy—especially from the UK—to do that, it shows confidence in the security of the state.
‘No British official would be allowed to stay in a place considered unsafe,” he stressed.
Ajulo emphasised the importance of the visitor’s remarks, reiterating that Ondo State is not just one of the peaceful states but indeed the most peaceful and safest in Nigeria.
“Just yesterday and this morning, the United Kingdom released a list of some states considered unsafe—about five of them—and Ondo State was not among them.
“The fact that the Deputy High Commissioner stayed here, rather than just passing through it, is a clear indicator that our state is safe,” he added.
The commissioner also said Ondo State is the most peaceful and safest state anyone can visit this Christmas.
“With the Christmas season approaching, we are already witnessing an influx of people from across the world coming home to celebrate the Yuletide in Ondo State,” he enthused.
Recall that the United Kingdom had warned its citizens against travelling to multiple regions in Nigeria amid escalating insecurity, citing threats from terrorism, violent crime, and intercommunal clashes.
In its latest advisory, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), urged Britons to exercise extreme caution, review safety measures, and have emergency plans ready.
Although Ondo State was excluded, the FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara, highlighting a “high and increasing threat” from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP), particularly near transport hubs, religious sites and large gatherings.
Travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, and certain outskirts of Abuja was discouraged except for essential purposes.
The advisory noted that violent crime, often involving firearms, has spread into central and affluent areas of Abuja and that British officials are currently restricted to movement within the city’s metropolitan area.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
