The Yoruba Council of Elders YCE has raised alarm over the growing insecurity in the Southwest following the abduction of pupils, students, and teachers from several schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The group warned Southwest governors and stakeholders not to allow Yorubaland become the next hotspot for mass kidnappings and s on schools.
In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, the YCE strongly condemned the coordinated abduction of more than 45 victims from Baptist Nursery and Primary School Yaworan, Community Grammar School Esiele, and L. A. Primary School.
According to the council, the is not only a tragedy for Oyo State but also a direct assault on the future of the Southwest and the safety of children across the region.
“The on innocent children and their teachers is not just a crime against Oyo State, it is an assault on the conscience of Nigeria and the sacred right of every child to learn in safety,” the statement said.
The council urged the Federal Government to immediately deploy special forces, intelligence assets, and operational support to ensure the safe and unconditional release of all abducted victims.
The YCE also called on governors of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos states to strengthen regional cooperation and deploy all available resources to tackle insecurity before it escalates further.
According to the group, schools must never become targets for kidnappers and armed criminals, warning that any delay in decisive action could put more children and families at risk.
The council further advocated increased support for the Amotekun security outfit through better funding, training, equipment, and stronger legal backing for intelligence driven operations across the Southwest.
It also recommended the elishment of a joint regional security task force for real time intelligence sharing and stronger border surveillance between states.
The YCE expressed sympathy to the families of the abducted victims and the slain Mathematics teacher reportedly ed during the , praying for strength and justice for all affected families.
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