Terror attacks on S’West, symptomatic of governors’ complacency (2)

For years, the government’s responses to dislocations occasioned by terror attacks have been highly predictable to the extent that such responses have no meaning to victims. They are rehearsed statements meant to placate Nigerians, not meant to be followed up for measurable action. This is yet another tragedy, where insincerity of purpose has become normalised. The chairman of the Eda-Oniyo Progressive Union, Dr Rufus Ajayi, called on the government to come to their aid. The traditional ruler, Eleda of Eda-Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolala , told the officials that only proactive actions and prompt government intervention could address the worrisome spate of abduction and killings in the community. He advised that security should be strengthened across the local government in border areas that adjoin Kwara State.

As noted by energy entrepreneur, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim , the incident reflects the failure of governance and abdication of official responsibility to protect life and property. Olawepo-Hashim, though acknowledging ongoing search-and-rescue operations by security personnel in nearby forests, raised concerns over the reported delay in security response despite distress calls during the attack, noting that swift intervention could have reduced the impact of the assault. These are all relevant pleas and observations that should not be novel to any government.

While the people grieve over the incident, terrorists launched coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, during which two people were reportedly killed and 42 pupils, along with some members of staff, were kidnapped. The victims, including toddlers, are still in captivity with their abductors. Very sad! Since then, and following directives from the union of teachers, all schools have remained shut pending the release of the kidnapped pupils and teachers. Residents in the state and other states have been staging protests over the worsening security situation in the state and country, and the continued captivity of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu , former Minister of Power and leading gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, issued a statement on the latest kidnapping, confirming the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Mrs John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children off at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident. While they are lucky to have been rescued, the fate of the others remains unknown.

Governors of the South West states should give priority to the safety of residents and what belongs to them. More than ever before, it has become crucial to strengthen local security frameworks and enhance rapid-response mechanisms.  It is noted that South West governors made a move in this direction when they collectively established the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) codenamed ‘ Amotekun ’ in January 2020 to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to curtail the influx of terrorists, kidnappers and violent herdsmen from the northern part of the country to forests and farmlands in the region. Then, hope of a safer Yoruba land was rekindled. True to expectations, Amotekun worked hard to dislodge terrorists and criminals in the region, particularly in Ondo and its axis.

However, it is disappointing that today some of the governors have failed to give security the seriousness it deserves. It took years before some of them could inaugurate the Amotekun Corps to begin operation in their domains. So far, the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit, which the United Nations (UN) has given official recognition as capable of making a remarkable contribution to curtailing insecurity, has been poorly funded. In some states, there is no budget for their operations.

While the country waits patiently for the formation of state police, it is obvious today that Amotekun can do more to reduce the crime rate. Governors in the South West should be canvassing seriously for the transformation of Amotekun into a formidable state or regional police, not passing the buck of insecurity to the president. According to data from the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), of the Council of Foreign Affairs, no fewer than 145 persons were kidnapped, 178 killed by non-state actors in Yoruba land in 2021, a year after Amotekun was established. Also, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a surge in kidnapping incidents in the South West between May 2023 and May 2024. It was reported that in 2024, over N248 million was paid as ransom to kidnappers while several monarchs were kidnapped and killed in the region.

Other prominent indi…