Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Sunday paid a sympathy visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at his private residence in Ibadan, following the abduction of teachers and pupils in Yawota and Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Condolences and Calls for Security Reform
Mohammed, accompanied by leaders of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), including National Chairman Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle and Bauchi governorship candidate Dr. Yakubu Adamu, commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the incident. He called for a comprehensive rejig of Nigeria’s security architecture, emphasizing stronger coordination among security agencies and between operatives and citizens to effectively tackle rising insecurity.
While commending Makinde’s efforts to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils, Mohammed expressed optimism that they would soon regain their freedom. Speaking with journalists after the visit, he said the delegation came to share in the grief of Oyo State over what he described as a troubling and recurring security challenge affecting schoolchildren and communities.
Encouragement and Congratulatory Remarks
Mohammed noted that the visit was also to encourage Makinde, whose efforts toward securing the victims’ release had been widely acknowledged. He also congratulated the Oyo governor on his emergence as the APM’s presidential candidate, describing him as a “young man of energy and determination capable of changing the trajectory of leadership in Nigeria.”
Broader Security Concerns
On the broader security situation, the Bauchi governor said Nigeria’s security structure required urgent review to improve synergy among agencies and deepen trust between security operatives and citizens. He attributed insecurity partly to governance challenges, poverty, and socio-economic pressures, while urging citizens to take greater responsibility in safeguarding their communities.
“The security situation is a manifestation of governance challenges and poverty. Citizens must also take responsibility and avoid aiding criminal tendencies,” he said. He further called on Nigerians to participate actively in choosing credible leaders, stressing that future elections must be used to drive meaningful change in governance. According to him, “Leadership is key. People must ensure they elect those who understand where it pinches and are ready to make a difference.”
The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Musibau Babatunde; Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; and Senior Executive Assistant on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal, were among top officials who received the Bauchi governor and his delegation.
