The National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America, known as Egbe Omo Yoruba, North America, has strongly criticized governors in the Southwest region for what it terms their complacency in tackling the growing insecurity in the area. This follows the abduction of elementary school pupils in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Group Condemns Rising Kidnappings in Schools
The organization stated that it is unacceptable for children to fear attending school in a region historically celebrated for peace, education, and development. In a communique issued after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council, the group expressed deep concern over the failure of political leaders to provide adequate protection for residents, especially vulnerable schoolchildren.
The communique, signed by National President Dr. Ayodeji Famuyide, National Secretary Agba-Akin Akinrotimi Kuteyi, and Public Relations Secretary Funmilola Iyiola, highlighted the alarming attitude of Southwest governors. It specifically called out the Oyo State Governor, who is constitutionally mandated to safeguard lives and property.
Call for Coordinated Regional Security Strategy
According to the association, the Ogbomoso abduction underscores the urgent need for a coordinated regional security strategy to combat kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities threatening communities across the Southwest. The group urged the Oyo State Government to immediately mobilize all available security resources to secure the unconditional release of the kidnapped pupils.
Egbe Omo Yoruba also called on Southwest governors to move beyond political rhetoric and develop an effective regional security mechanism. It argued that the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, would achieve little without necessary operational equipment and resources.
Amotekun Needs More Than Just Establishment
“Establishment of Amotekun Security Agency without enough security gadgets is akin to sacrificing our people for political mileage,” the communique stated. The organization further called on traditional rulers and community leaders to set aside political affiliations and hold public officials accountable for security failures.
The group criticized the Federal Government for what it described as inadequate attention to security concerns in the Southwest. It urged authorities to prioritize the protection of citizens across the region and renewed calls for the establishment of state police, insisting that a decentralized policing structure is necessary to effectively combat insecurity.
Public Confidence Undermined
Egbe Omo Yoruba noted that increasing incidents of kidnapping, attacks on schools, killings, and invasions of rural communities have weakened public confidence in political leadership and raised serious concerns about resident safety. The association expressed solidarity with the families of the abducted children and called for swift action by all levels of government to ensure their safe return and prevent future occurrences.
“Children represent the future of any society or nation and the inability to protect them from any form of kidnapping represents a society on the brink of moral and political bankruptcy,” the group concluded.
