Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has strongly condemned gunmen attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, and called for decisive action from all stakeholders to end what he termed a guerrilla war.
The attacks, which occurred on Saturday, involved gunmen carrying out coordinated assaults on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The gunmen abducted students and staff from the schools, and killed a school teacher, Mr Michael Opadokun.
In a statement addressing the grave security breach, Iba Adams expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and the trauma inflicted on the affected communities.
He described the invasion as a deplorable act that threatens the safety and future of the children and the educational system in the region.
The Yoruba generalissimo recalled several instances where he had called on the Federal Government, state governments in the Southwest and relevant security agencies to take proactive measures to protect the people in the face of growing threats of invasion by faceless bandits who he noted had infiltrated border communities and forests.
Adams restated his call for state police as a way of stopping the incessant security breaches by the terrorists across the country.
He urged all relevant security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to collaborate more effectively to restore peace and security in the Southwest.
He emphasised the urgent need for enhanced intelligence gathering, proactive patrols, and community engagement to prevent further attacks on schools and other vulnerable targets.
Highlighting the importance of education as the foundation for the region’s development, Iba Adams urged the government to prioritise the protection of educational institutions and ensure the safe return of all abducted pupils and staff.
He also appealed to people of Southwest to remain vigilant and support security efforts aimed at curbing rising insecurity.
“There is a critical need for a united front in tackling insecurity in the Southwest, safeguarding the lives of citizens and preserving the sanctity of education,” Adams noted.
