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The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has cautioned against aggressive operational responses to the school abduction in the Oriire Local Government Area, warning that such actions could cause further harm.
Since over 40 schoolchildren and teachers were abducted in Oriire on May 15, Nigerians have called for their swift release and staged protests over the abduction, which has lasted for almost a month.
Speaking on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the News Central team, the commissioner said that a forceful approach, in line with public expectations, could worsen the situation, particularly since the victims include schoolchildren and teachers.
“If we go after them the way the whole public had wanted it, we may cause more damage,” he said, noting that those abducted are innocent persons whose families are already in distress.
Credit: News Central TV.
He expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, adding that security agencies were working collaboratively to ensure their safe rescue.
According to him, no single security agency can handle the security challenges alone, stressing the need for inter-agency cooperation.
“The security architecture is so wide, only one agency cannot do it,” he said, adding that multiple agencies are currently working together to secure the victims’ release.
He noted that the state government has strengthened coordination among security forces to improve response to such incidents, particularly in a state with a large geographical area.
The commissioner also emphasised the importance of collaboration with the media, saying journalists play a critical role in informing the public about security efforts.
He said many security successes often go unreported and expressed support for initiatives such as town hall meetings to improve communication between security agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
While acknowledging that security experts and commentators often contribute to public discourse, he stressed that effective security operations depend heavily on intelligence gathering.
“Before you can handle security properly, you need information,” he added.
