Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has strongly condemned the escalating insecurity across Nigeria, following the kidnapping of students and the killing of a teacher by terrorists in Oyo State. In a scathing message directed at the federal government, the military, and political leaders, she demanded urgent action to protect citizens.
Actress Challenges Security Agencies
In a lengthy video posted on her Instagram page on May 27, Ojo questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria's security forces. She wondered how heavily armed bandits could outnumber military personnel tasked with protecting lives and property. "How come these bandits will come and they will kill, they will steal, abduct, and take away our children? Are these people more than you military men who are supposed to be in charge of protecting the life and property of your citizens?" she asked.
The actress suggested that if the government is overwhelmed, leaders should seek foreign intelligence and military assistance to eradicate the threat. She expressed shock that criminals have the audacity to post videos of beheadings, yet schools and churches have refused to shut down in nationwide solidarity.
Criticism of Politicians
Ojo also blasted politicians who are busy campaigning and commissioning infrastructure projects, warning that there will be no citizens left to enjoy those facilities if daily abductions and murders are not stopped. "We don't need you commissioning roads. We don't need you commissioning schools anymore for now. We don't need you sharing rice. Because if they do not do something fast about this, there will be no people to walk on that road," she said.
She urged Nigerians to ignore election campaigns, stating that even those claiming to do better have not shown the required zeal. "It's not about going to schools to sit down and eat with students," she added.
Call to Youth and Celebrities
Directing her message to Nigerian youth, celebrities, and the general public, the filmmaker warned that living in gated estates in Lagos offers no real immunity, as violence will eventually reach the cities. She urged citizens to drop political party divisions, stop fighting for superiority on social media, and unite to demand accountability from local government chairmen, state governors, and the president through peaceful protests.
"Social media, we get so carried away that all we do is talk, talk, talk, and no actions, and that's why I agree with someone who said we are not angry enough. We are not angry enough, and this is not about, oh, APC is not doing well, Tinubu is not doing well. We ourselves are not ready because we are too afraid," she said.
She emphasized that the fight is not for the president alone but for everyone. "It is high time we hold the right people responsible. For you that have just one follower, use that one follower that you have to speak out, to cry out until we hear," she added.
Previous Celebrity Outcry
Earlier, fellow Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri also raised her voice against growing insecurity in a message directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Her outcry followed the tragic execution of teacher Michael Oyedokun by terrorists during the same Oyo school kidnapping incident where 46 people were taken. She explained that the worsening situation is not about political propaganda, begging the president to secure lives because the country is no longer safe.
