The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has commended the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies, and local security groups in the successful rescue of abducted teachers and students from Oriire local government in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The teachers and students, who were abducted by armed assailants from three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota communities in Ogbomoso, regained freedom yesterday after 56 days in captivity.
In a statement on Saturday, Iba Adams said the success of the rescue operation, which involved multiple arms of the nation’s security agencies and local security groups and networks, highlights the critical role of cooperation and collaboration in addressing security challenges as he has always advocated.
Recall that in a statement issued after the rescue on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the Nigerian Army detailed how troops, alongside other security agencies, rescued the pupils and teachers.
According to the statement, the operation brought together personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and members of the Amotekun Corps.
Adams praised the Federal Government for its intervention, including the deployment of a high-level delegation led by the National Security Adviser to coordinate rescue operations.
He said the Oyo State Government’s proactive moves and cooperation with federal government and security agencies is also worthy of emulation.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland acknowledged the dedication and bravery of the Amotekun Corps, vigilante groups and OPC members who played significant roles in the rescue mission, adding that their intimate knowledge of the local terrain and communities proved invaluable in tracking and securing the release of the abducted people.
“The introduction of the ‘Integrated Security Concept’ by the Oyo State Government, which brings together the Army, Police, Department of State Security Services, Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun operatives, OPC, Vigilante, Agbekoya, and Soludero groups to work collaboratively in tackling insecurity, is highly commendable.
“The success of this integrated approach in the recent rescue operation underscores the importance of synergy among various security actors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adams lauded the Federal Government’s consideration of establishing a military base in the area as a strategic move to enhance security infrastructure and prevent future incidents.
While emphasising that governments at all levels must intensify efforts to forestall the recurrence of such security breaches, he urged the Federal and State Governments to invest more in intelligence gathering, state and community policing, and infrastructure development in vulnerable areas.
