Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has summoned the heads of security agencies in the state for an emergency meeting over recent security breaches and killings allegedly linked to rival cult groups.

The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, is expected to focus on measures to address the killings and strengthen security across the state.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, disclosed the development, saying the meeting would also consider ways to improve the safety of forests in Osun and prevent them from being used as hideouts by criminal elements.

Ojo said recent security developments in neighbouring Ondo State, including the reported killing of an ISWAP leader in Owo, had further highlighted the need for increased vigilance.

“We are holding a security meeting on Wednesday, by the special grace of God, to reassure our people and put our security agencies on their toes,” Ojo said.

He warned individuals using forests as hideouts that the state government would not tolerate criminal activities in such areas.

“What happened in Ondo is a lesson to those criminals hibernating in the forests.

“We will not take it lightly with anyone using the forest as a hideout,” he added.

According to the governor’s aide, the meeting would also address a series of killings attributed to rival cult groups in parts of the state in recent weeks.

“Aside from that, we are also using the meeting to address the incessant killings by rival cult groups in the past weeks,” Ojo said.

“We need to meet and discuss how to stop these killings by cult groups or any other violent crimes hiding under that canopy.”

Ojo stressed that the authorities were concerned about the impact of the violence on the image and reputation of Osun State, urging those involved in violent crimes to desist.

“We need to stop it, so as not to give our state a bad name, because nobody knows what they are fighting for or why they are killing themselves,” he said.

The governor’s decision comes amid growing concerns over security breaches and recent violence involving suspected cult groups in the state.