OPC, Agbekoya, S’West security groups press FG, Oyo over abductions

The Southwest Security Stakeholders Group has called on the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to take urgent and decisive action to secure the release of kidnapped victims in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area, and the abducted school children in Ahoro-Esinele, Ogbomoso, both in Oyo State.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ireti Adewole, on Thursday, the SSSG, a coalition of 14 security-relevant organisations, expressed deep concern over the continued abduction of citizens, which, they said, has heightened fear and insecurity in the affected communities.

The group is made up of the Oodua People’s Congress, Agbekoya Society, including the Agbekoya Peace Movement and Agbekoya Solidarity Movement, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, Odua Warriors, Vigilante Jahun, COMSAIC, Isokan Ile Oodua, Egbe Obinrin Oodua Agbaye and Omo Oduduwa United, among others.

Recall that on June 16, 2026, Kuburat Omowumi and her son were abducted in Igbope, a community within the Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.

This is just as no fewer than 42 pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele.

In the statement, the SSSG condemned the failure of the government and security agencies to secure the release of Omowumi and her son, and urged the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify their efforts, deploy adequate resources, and engage all relevant security agencies to rescue the victims immediately.

The statement read, “The kidnapping of school children is a particularly heinous crime that disrupts education and traumatises families and communities. The government must prioritise their rescue operations and ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

The group added that the recent spate of kidnappings in Igbope and Ogbomoso reflects broader security challenges facing the Southwest region.

The statement read, “Insecurity, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and communal clashes, has adversely affected economic activities, education, and social cohesion.

“The Southwest region is in dire need of a comprehensive security strategy that involves state and local government policing, intelligence sharing, and collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities, and private security groups.

“We particularly implore the Southwest State governors to collaborate with the SSSG and all our security apparatus at the grassroots to effectively secure our region.

“Government must also address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social marginalisation.”

Amid growing concerns about the kidnap incidents, the Oyo State Government and security agencies have consistently spoken of ongoing rescue efforts, while stating that it was being careful with information being sent out so as not to jeopardise the lives of the abducted persons.