Youth parliament member calls for immediate action over security threat in Oriire LG 

Joshua Ojo Akin, popularly known as J’Icon, a member representing Oriire State Constituency at the Oyo State Youth Parliament (2nd Assembly), has raised a critical alarm over the escalating security challenges in Oriire Local Government Area. Speaking to journalists today, J’Icon highlighted that the recent Oloka incident, which claimed the lives of five security personnel, is only the tip of the iceberg, as recurring attacks suggest that insurgents may have quietly infiltrated the area.

> “I call on both the Oyo State and Nigerian Federal Governments to demonstrate strong political will and take deliberate, coordinated action to secure our borders from terrorists and criminal elements,” 

J’Icon said. 

> “Oriire Local Government, which shares a border with northern Nigeria, particularly Kwara State, is vulnerable, and our communities, predominantly farmers, live in constant fear. The local government cannot defend itself against these highly armed criminals.”

J’Icon acknowledged the efforts of local, state, and federal authorities in maintaining security alertness but stressed that more decisive action is needed. He recounted several violent incidents preceding the Oloka attack, including multiple kidnapping attempts and shootings in the Oko-Ile and Ahoro-Dada communities. These incidents involved gunshots, hostage-taking, and ransom demands, demonstrating the increasingly sophisticated and violent nature of criminal activity in the area.

In the wake of these events, J’Icon urged government authorities to not only continue the investigation of recent attacks but also proactively secure the borders and ensure that residents of Oriire can live and work without fear. 

“Our people deserve to go about their daily lives in safety. The state and federal government must act collectively and decisively to prevent further victimization of Oriire,” he emphasized.

The Oriire Local Government comprises over 800 small villages, and the recent reports suggest that criminal elements are armed with sophisticated weapons far beyond the capacity of local security to manage. J’Icon’s appeal serves as a clarion call for urgent, sustained, and coordinated intervention to restore peace and security to the area.