Yoruba Union Blasts Tinubu, Makinde Over Abduction Of Teachers, Principal, Students In Oyo, Says Terrorists Have Occupied Yoruba Land

Ikeja, Lagos State– The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has condemned the abduction of students, teachers, and a school principal in three schools located in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as a grave failure of government at all levels.

The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to immediately direct security agencies to rescue all victims and bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.

According to the union, the attack, which occurred last Friday, underscores the growing insecurity across Yorubaland and the inability of political leaders to safeguard lives and property.

In a statement signed by the Convener of the group, Olusola Badero, and released through its Home Director, Princess Balogun, the group alleged that terrorists have increasingly taken control of parts of the Southwest, thereby threatening the region’s historically peaceful environment.

The statement read, “The responsibility of any government is to secure the lives and property of its citizens, but Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Seyi Makinde have failed in their duty to protect the lives of Yoruba people. Instead, they are focused on political calculations ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while Yoruba children and daughters are languishing in the dens of terrorists who have occupied our land with the agenda of taking it over.”

The group further expressed frustration over ignored warnings to authorities about escalating insecurity in the region.

“We warned Tinubu and other Southwest governors when these terrorists took over Kwara South and desecrated our ancestral land while kidnapping our people for ransom.

“We urged them to be proactive and establish a joint security surveillance system, including the deployment of technology across our forests to monitor terrorist movements, but they failed. Rather, they concentrated on how to win elections at the detriment of our people.”

Lamenting the plight of the abducted victims, the Yoruba Union said the psychological and emotional toll on the children and their families could be long-lasting.

“Our children who were kidnapped in three schools in Oriire Local Government Area are still in the captivity of terrorists. These are children who aspire to become something in the future, yet they are being traumatised at an early stage. They have been exposed to danger, and the trauma may remain with them for life. Their parents are devastated and in deep distress,” the group said.

The union also broadened its concerns beyond Oyo State, demanding urgent action on similar cases across the Southwest.

“Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá calls for the immediate release of the children, teachers, and principal kidnapped in Oriire. We also demand the unconditional release of all victims abducted in Kwara and Ondo States without further delay,” it stated.

The group urged security agencies to intensify operations in affected areas and ensure that those responsible for the abductions are tracked, apprehended, and prosecuted, warning that continued inaction could embolden criminal elements and further destabilise the region.