Ooni condemns Oyo school attack, demands urgent security action

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has condemned the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, calling for swift security action and a united national effort to tackle kidnapping and violent crimes across the country.

The monarch, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, described the abduction of students and teachers of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School as heartbreaking, disturbing and unacceptable.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, Oba Ogunwusi lamented that innocent pupils, teachers and residents were subjected to terror during the attack by armed gunmen.

He also expressed sadness over the deaths recorded during the incident, including Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan, a commercial motorcyclist, and one of the abducted teachers, Mr Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly killed in captivity.

According to the monarch, attacks on schools and educational communities amount to a direct assault on the future of the nation, stressing that children and teachers must never become victims of criminal activities.

The Ooni called on security agencies to intensify rescue operations to secure the release of victims still in captivity and ensure that those behind the attacks are brought to justice. He further urged governments at all levels to strengthen security architecture in vulnerable communities, particularly around schools and rural settlements, to prevent future occurrences.

The monarch also appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies with credible information, vigilance and community cooperation, noting that the fight against kidnapping requires collective responsibility and national unity.

Oba Ogunwusi equally sympathised with families of security operatives, members of the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes who reportedly lost their lives during rescue efforts, describing their sacrifices as patriotic and heroic.