Oriire kidnap: Olubadan lauds Tinubu, security operatives
… As Oyo Central senator says ‘no hiding place for criminals’
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), has lauded the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and security agencies, including the local hunters, on the release of the kidnapped victims in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
This is just as the senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Yunnus Akintunde, declared that there is no longer safe haven for criminals.
The victims, 47 in number, were kidnapped in Yawota and Ahoro Esinele communities in Oriire on May 15, while their release was secured on Friday.
Oba Ladoja, in a statement by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, said the feat had further demonstrated the disposition of the Federal Government to the security of lives and property of the citizenry.
“The release of the victims is a landmark achievement of the present administration in the country. The issue of the country is being taken seriously by the administration,” he said, noting that there could never be any development in an atmosphere of chaos.
“As a follow up to this development, the government must ensure that all the communities that share border with the Old Oyo National Park are fully secured.
“Also, the government must ensure proper rehabilitation of the victims; the trauma and psychological stress they have undergone while in captivity should be addressed.
“Also, I want to thank our peace-loving governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, for standing by the victims and their relations during their moment of trials.
“Likewise, the security operatives, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police and leadership of other security agencies, deserve accolades,” the monarch said.
In the same vein, Senator Akintunde, who is also the chairman of Senate Committee on South-West Development Commission, commended the President and other critical stakeholders in the rescue efforts. He declared that “there is no safe hiding place for criminals.”
“I welcome the safe release of the school children and their teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Their return brings great relief to their families, their communities and all Nigerians.
“I commend the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his dedication to tackling insecurity. I also salute the Nigerian Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies whose professionalism and coordinated efforts made this successful rescue possible.
“While we celebrate this success, we must also honour the memory of the brave Lieutenant Felix A. Isaac, who paid the supreme price in the line of duty during the rescue operation. His courage, patriotism, and selfless sacrifice in defence of innocent lives will forever be remembered.
“I equally mourn the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, who was brutally murdered while in captivity, and Joel Adesiyan, an assistant headmaster, who was killed during the initial attack on the schools.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and we pray that Almighty God grants them the strength to bear these painful losses.
“This successful operation sends a clear message that there is no safe hiding place for criminals. Those who seek to terrorise innocent citizens must know that the law will continue to pursue them relentlessly until they are brought to justice.
“As the Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on South-West Development Commission, I am committed to supporting legislative and policy measures that will further strengthen our security architecture, enhance intelligence gathering, and ensure that every Nigerian can live, work, and learn in safety.
“I congratulate the rescued victims and their families on this joyful reunion and urge Nigerians to continue supporting our security agencies with credible information as we work together to build a safer and more secure nation,” Dr. Akintunde said in a personally-signed statement on Sunday.
