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Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, alongside the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch, have called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s security system following the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The call came after a closed-door meeting on Monday between Governor Makinde and members of the PDP Board of Trustees led by Adolphus Wabara, as well as members of the party’s Interim National Working Committee under Tanimu Turaki.
The delegation said it visited the governor to sympathise with the state government and residents over the attacks on three schools in Oriire LGA, where gunmen abducted teachers and students during coordinated assaults.
Speaking after the meeting, Turaki said the PDP leadership was concerned about the worsening security situation despite the state government’s efforts to protect lives and property.
“The leadership of PDP, including members of the NWC, the Interim National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees, are here to commiserate with the government and the people of Oyo over the unfortunate incidents that recently occurred in Oriire Local Government and some parts of Ibadan,” Turaki said.
“We believe the issue of security is fundamental and must be taken very seriously.
“We are aware of the efforts His Excellency has consistently made to ensure the safety of the people of Oyo and to protect lives and property across the state,” he added.
He noted that the attacks occurred at a time when political activity was intensifying ahead of future elections, describing the development as disturbing.
Turaki said the party believed Nigeria’s security structure had become ineffective and required urgent restructuring, while also urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
“Seeing incidents like these happen despite the enormous resources the governor has committed to security is deeply concerning, especially as the election period approaches.
“We came to encourage and strengthen him, as well as reassure the people of Oyo that this difficult moment shall pass by the grace of God,”he stated.
“More than ever at this critical time, every Nigerian must remain security-conscious. We must pay attention to our surroundings, remain vigilant, and promptly alert the authorities whenever necessary.
“Security should also involve communal effort. By the grace of God, we have listened to what His Excellency has said publicly and also during our discussions with him,”he said.
He added that the delegation was encouraged by steps already being taken by the Oyo State Government to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
“We are confident that the measures he has already begun implementing will ensure that this kind of ugly incident does not happen again in the state.
“Our message to the Federal Government is that Nigeria’s security architecture urgently needs to be overhauled. This has become long overdue,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ibadan branch of the NBA urged the state government to review the influx of people into the state and regulate the activities of commercial motorcyclists to properly identify operators.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, the association described the abduction as barbaric and warned against allowing insecurity to take root in a previously peaceful environment.
The NBA called on both federal and state authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and ensure those behind the attacks are identified and prosecuted.
“This barbarism must not be allowed to have a foothold in an erstwhile peaceful environment.
“We must not allow this latest incident to be added to the consistently growing list of unresolved horrendous crimes perpetrated against the hapless people of this country,” the statement read.
“The perpetrators of this attack and their sponsors must be unmasked.
“The government at different levels must act in earnest to confront this menace. The state must rise above characteristic but ineffectual reactions to grave acts of barbarism which assail our sensibilities.
“This is not the time when functionaries of government present bland platitudes as reassurance. The good people of the state anticipate an acceptable resolution to the current disruption of peace. They expect the victims to return soon,” it added.
The association also expressed concern over what it described as the slow pace of rescue efforts more than 10 days after the incident, saying the silence surrounding the operation had heightened public anxiety.
It stressed that although security agencies might be withholding operational details for strategic reasons, residents expected stronger action and clearer assurances from government authorities regarding the safe return of the victims.
“The deafening silence attending the activities aimed at liberating the captives does not inspire hope. We shudder to imagine the horrible experiences to which the victims are being subjected at the moment.
“While it may be strategic to keep from public scrutiny specific details concerning the tactics being adopted to bring foreclosure to this unfortunate incident, the characteristic silence of the government has been disquieting,” it added.
