The Board of Trustees of Governor Seyi Makinde-backed Peoples Democratic Party, led by Adolphus Wabara and members of the Interim National Working Committee under Tanimu Turaki, on Monday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture following the penultimate Friday’s abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
This is just as the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan branch, also charged Makinde to review the influx of people into the state amid the recent abduction.
The PUNCH reports that teachers and students were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire LGA, penultimate Friday, around 9:30 a.m.
Speaking with journalists shortly after meeting behind closed doors with Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Turaki said the visit was to commiserate with the state government and the people over the recent attacks.
Turaki said, “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.
“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 expressed concern that the attacks occurred despite what he described as a significant investment in security by the state government, especially as political activities began to intensify ahead of elections.
Turaki added, “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 called on the Federal Government to urgently reform the country’s security structure, describing the current arrangement as ineffective.
Turaki, therefore, admonished the residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies in addressing insecurity.
“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.
“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.
The Ibadan branch of the NBA, in a statement released by its chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, urged the state government to regulate the operations of commercial motorcyclists for a stipulated period to ascertain the operators’ identities.
The association further called on both the federal and state governments to put more effort into rescuing abducted teachers and students at three different schools in the local government.
NBA, in a statement on Monday, said, “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 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,” the statement read.
NBA further admonished both the federal and state governments to expedite action in ensuring the safe return of the victims, saying the welfare of the people is the primary reason for the existence of any government.
It registered displeasure at the seeming tardiness of the government rescue mission since the unfortunate incident occurred over 10 days ago, adding that it was reasonable to expect that the latest assault on civility would be confronted headlong.
“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.
