By: Manoah Kikekon
IBADAN, NIGERIA — The Oyo State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has strongly condemned the mass abduction of pupils, students, and educators in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state. Describing the coordinated assaults as a horrific violation of human life, academic sanity, and peaceful coexistence, the socio-cultural organization demanded an aggressive, non-negotiable security response to safely extract the hostages.
The group's position was made public in a joint statement signed by the Chapter President, Hon. Okechukwu Nwabunike, and Executive Secretary, Promise Aja. The apex Igbo body expressed profound shock over the vulnerability of rural schooling systems, particularly following the armed invasion of Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, alongside Community High School and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esinele community axis near Ogbomoso.
In its official dispatch, Ohanaeze Ndigbo sent deep condolences to the families of all victims caught up in the targeted raid. The group expressed intense outrage regarding the tragic killing of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a dedicated mathematics teacher who was murdered while in captivity—a development that was subsequently tracked and confirmed by the state government following the circulation of distressing videos posted online by the terrorists.
> “We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims and the people of Oyo State at this difficult time,” the statement read, affirming that the entire socio-cultural structure remains deeply traumatized by the calculated violence. “The mass kidnapping represents a direct attack on peace, education, and societal stability. We must continue to pray for the safe return of these abductees and for the exposure and defeat of those behind this evil act.”
Hon. Nwabunike similarly extended sincere sympathies to the families of brave security personnel—including soldiers, operatives of the Oyo State Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps), and local hunters—who tragically lost their lives during the initial high-stakes pursuit of the motorcycle-riding bandits.
Throwing its full structural weight behind the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, Ohanaeze Oyo noted that the current leadership has consistently shown an unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability. Because Oyo State has historically maintained a peaceful profile free from large-scale school abductions, the organization emphasized that rapid, structural innovations must be deployed immediately to defend the state's borders against migrating insurgent networks.
To bolster current security measures, the body advocated for the urgent creation of reinforced school safety zones, tighter community-policing loops, and enhanced tactical surveillance across remote terrains linking Oyo to neighboring states.
“Oyo State has not previously witnessed such a devastating incident, and urgent, practical steps must now be taken to prevent future occurrences,” Nwabunike remarked, emphasizing that local integration is the strongest weapon against terror. “Insecurity can only be defeated through national unity and collective resolve.”