Enough is Enough: A Call for Urgent Action on the Deteriorating Security Situation in Ogbomosoland and Nigeria— Egbe Omoluabi Ajilete Writes Tinubu
AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ASO ROCK VILLA, FCT, ABUJA
Your Excellency,
We write on behalf of the members of Egbe Omoluabi Ajilete, a foremost socio-cultural organisation committed to the preservation of the values, dignity, security, unity, and development of Ogbomosoland.
This open letter is borne out of deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity across Nigeria and, more particularly, the recent abduction of innocent school children and their teachers at Esiele and Yawota in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. This tragic incident has shaken the conscience of our people and underscores the urgent need for decisive and sustainable action to protect lives and restore public confidence in our nation’s security architecture.
Your Excellency, the kidnapping of innocent pupils and their teachers is not merely an attack on individuals or their families. It is an assault on the sanctity of education, an affront to our shared humanity, and a direct threat to national development. It has left parents traumatised, communities gripped by fear, and our educational system under increasing siege.
We unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act and express our heartfelt sympathy to the affected families, the schools, and the entire people of Ogbomosoland. We also pray for the immediate, unconditional, and safe release of all those still in captivity.
Ogbomoso’s Legacy of Community Security
For generations, Ogbomosoland has been recognised as a land of courageous, disciplined, industrious, and peace-loving people. Our forefathers built secure communities through communal vigilance, mutual trust, traditional leadership, hunters, age-grade associations, and local vigilante structures that complemented one another in protecting lives and property.
Security was regarded as a collective responsibility rather than the exclusive duty of government.
Regrettably, this effective community-based security culture has gradually weakened under an overly centralised policing system that often lacks adequate local intelligence, sufficient manpower, and the operational flexibility required to respond promptly to emerging security threats.
The Growing Security Challenge
The present insecurity confronting Nigeria is the product of longstanding structural weaknesses, including:
• Over-centralisation of policing and security management.
• Weak collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
• Porous national borders facilitating the influx of illegal arms and criminal elements.
• High unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship that expose many young people to criminal recruitment.
• Inadequate investment in intelligence gathering and community policing.
• Slow prosecution of criminal offenders.
• Increasing sophistication of organised criminal networks operating across state boundaries.
These conditions have emboldened kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, and other criminal groups to extend their activities into previously peaceful communities, including Ogbomosoland.
Our Appeal to Your Excellency
Mr. President, we respectfully urge your administration to treat the abduction of the Esiele and Yawota school children and their teachers as a matter of urgent national importance.
We call on the Federal Government, working closely with the Oyo State Government and all security agencies, to deploy every lawful resource necessary to secure the immediate and safe rescue of the victims. Every passing day prolongs the agony of the victims and their families.
Our Recommendations
Your Excellency, beyond the immediate rescue efforts, we respectfully recommend the following long-term measures:
1. Grant constitutional backing to State Police and structured Community Policing.
2. Strengthen community intelligence networks involving traditional rulers, hunters, vigilante groups, youth organisations, and religious leaders.
3. Invest heavily in surveillance technology, drones, CCTV systems, emergency response centres, and digital intelligence gathering.
4. Establish permanent security outposts across vulnerable rural communities and forest reserves.
5. Strengthen security around schools through fencing, trained security personnel, emergency communication systems, and regular security assessments.
6. Improve operational collaboration among the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, and accredited local security organisations.
7. Intensify border surveillance to curb illegal arms trafficking and cross-border criminal activities.
8. Fast-track the prosecution of kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, and their sponsors through designated courts.
9. Address the socio-economic drivers of insecurity through massive investments in youth employment, agriculture, vocational education, and entrepreneurship.
10. Encourage the establishment of transparent Community Security Trust Funds to support approved local security initiatives.
11. Promote responsible citizenship by encouraging the reporting of suspicious activities and discouraging communities from harbouring criminal elements.
12. Institutionalise periodic security summits involving all relevant stakeholders across Ogbomosoland and other vulnerable regions.
13. Strengthen the advisory and intelligence roles of traditional institutions within Nigeria’s security framework.
14. Declare kidnapping a national security emergency deserving extraordinary operational attention and adequate funding.
Our Message
Your Excellency, the protection of lives and property remains the foremost constitutional responsibility of government. While communities are willing to support lawful security initiatives, they require a responsive security architecture that recognises local realities and empowers community participation.
The tragedy at Esiele and Yawota should serve as a turning point for meaningful reforms rather than another painful statistic.
History will remember leaders not merely for occupying public office but for the courage they demonstrate in moments of national crisis. We therefore urge Your Excellency to seize this moment to initiate bold reforms that will restore confidence in Nigeria’s security system and guarantee a safer future for all Nigerians.
To our fellow citizens, we encourage continued vigilance, unity, lawful cooperation with security agencies, and unwavering commitment to peace. We must reject fear and refuse to surrender our communities to criminal elements.
We remain optimistic that through sincere leadership, effective collaboration, community participation, and divine guidance, Nigeria shall overcome these security challenges.
May Almighty God continue to guide Your Excellency in the discharge of your constitutional responsibilities and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
Yours faithfully,
Comrade Fajoye Hamzat Oyelere, Esq., ACArb, FCAI
Global Legal Adviser
Egbe Omoluabi Ajilete
For and on behalf of the members of Egbe Omoluabi Ajilete
Ogbomosoland, Oyo State, Nigeria