The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has called on the Federal Government to adopt a more comprehensive approach to intelligence gathering and bolster native intelligence systems as part of efforts to address the escalating insecurity in Nigeria. The monarch made the appeal on Sunday, following the recent terrorist attacks and abductions in several communities within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Attacks and Abductions in Oyo Communities
The affected communities include Ahoro-Esinle, Alawusa, Yawota, and Oniya villages. Oba Owoade also provided cash support for ongoing rescue operations after the attacks that occurred last Friday. Reports indicate that terrorists attacked Esinele School, killing two people, burning a vehicle, and abducting 42 pupils along with a teacher into the Old Oyo National Park forest.
Call for a Shift from Reactive to Proactive Security
Speaking through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin urged the government to move away from reactive security measures and instead invest in credible intelligence systems capable of identifying threats before they materialize. He emphasized the need to deploy modern technologies for identifying and tracking criminal suspects while strengthening collaboration with local communities to improve intelligence gathering.
According to the monarch, soft targets such as schools and rural communities must be adequately protected. He also called for the dismantling of financial and logistical networks that sustain criminal groups.
Intolerable Insecurity and Loss of Confidence
Oba Owoade stated that insecurity in the country has reached an intolerable level, noting that Nigerians are becoming increasingly apprehensive over persistent killings, kidnappings, and destruction of lives and property. He lamented that citizens are gradually losing confidence in the government's ability to guarantee their safety.
“The country is going through serious security challenges, and what is more disturbing is that these bloodthirsty criminals cannot possess such sophisticated weapons without receiving support from certain quarters,” he said.
Terrorism as an Abomination
The monarch described attacks on innocent citizens as acts of terrorism and an abomination, urging Nigerians to support ongoing efforts aimed at ending insecurity across the country. He warned that persistent insecurity could further weaken inter-communal trust, trigger psychological trauma among citizens, and threaten the political stability of the nation.
According to him, the long-term solution to insecurity goes beyond military action and requires political courage, honesty, and deliberate efforts to address the root causes of criminality and insurgency.
Overhaul of Security Architecture
Oba Owoade also called for a total overhaul of the nation’s security architecture while commending President Bola Tinubu for demonstrating commitment towards tackling insecurity in the country. He commiserated with families affected by the attacks and assured residents that security agencies were already taking necessary steps to apprehend the perpetrators.
The monarch disclosed that a combined team of police personnel and local security operatives had been deployed to the affected villages and surrounding forests to intensify rescue efforts and restore normalcy to the communities.
