By Sayo Alagbe
What unfolded at Ẹ̀ṣín-Ẹ̀lẹ́ in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State is not merely another tragic headline in the endless catalogue of insecurity ravaging Nigeria. It is a painful reminder that rural communities across the country have become theatres of fear, sorrow, bloodshed and hopelessness, while innocent citizens continue to pay the ultimate price for government failures, weak security structures and the growing audacity of criminal elements masquerading as bandits.
The ugly incident that reportedly involved the abduction of students, teachers and other innocent residents from LA Primary School Ẹ̀ṣín-Ẹ̀lẹ́, LA Primary School Yawota and Community High School Ẹ̀ṣín-Ẹ̀lẹ́ has once again exposed the frightening reality confronting many communities in Oyo State and Nigeria at large. It is heartbreaking that children who left their homes in search of education and a better future suddenly disappeared into uncertainty in the hands of ruthless criminals whose stock-in-trade has become kidnapping, killings and extortion of helpless Nigerians.
Yesterday, the atmosphere across Ẹ̀ṣín-Ẹ̀lẹ́ – Yawota and Òkò-ilé communities is not one of peace or hope. Tears have replaced laughter. Fear has replaced security. Parents who ordinarily should be preparing meals and welcoming their children back from school are now trapped in emotional torture, praying and wondering whether they will ever set their eyes again on their beloved children.
The sorrow surrounding the death of Mr. Joel Adesiyan equally paints another tragic picture of a nation gradually losing its humanity to unchecked criminality. A hardworking family man who left home in pursuit of daily bread never returned alive. Instead of embracing a loving husband and caring father, his family has now been thrown into mourning by the wickedness of men who have no regard for human life.
More painful is the abduction of Mrs. Fola Alamu, the Principal of Community High School Ẹ̀ṣín-Ẹ̀lẹ́. One can only imagine the devastating emotional trauma confronting Professor Alamu and the children since yesterday. A family that must have looked forward to another peaceful weekend together has now been plunged into agony and confusion. Beyond the horrifying reports that the vehicle conveying teachers and students was burnt by the attackers, the uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts and condition of the victims has further deepened the wounds inflicted on the affected families and communities.
The killing of the motorcycle rider from Òkò-ilé during the attack also adds another innocent name to the growing list of Nigerians whose lives have been brutally cut short by criminal gangs operating freely across different parts of the federation. Sadly, many of these deaths hardly receive justice, while affected families are abandoned to suffer their losses in silence.
What is happening in Orire Local Government presently is not isolated from the wider security nightmare confronting Nigeria. From the North to the South, East to West, kidnapping and banditry have become a dangerous enterprise flourishing under an atmosphere of fear and inadequate response. Communities are no longer safe. Farmers can no longer confidently go to their farms. Students can no longer pursue education without fear. Travelers now move on highways with anxiety, while criminals continue to demand ransom from victims even after unleashing terror and death upon innocent citizens.
This ugly trend calls for urgent, sincere and decisive action from governments at all levels, security agencies and traditional institutions across Nigeria. The time for mere condolences, sympathy visits and empty assurances has passed. Nigerians are tired of repeated promises without corresponding results. The bloodletting must stop.
The administration of Governor Seyi Makinde must immediately rise beyond routine statements and demonstrate stronger political will towards ending insecurity in Oyo State. The government must strengthen local intelligence gathering, improve collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups, deploy advanced surveillance mechanisms and ensure constant security presence in vulnerable rural communities, especially across the Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́land and border communities where criminal elements now appear emboldened.
Equally, the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police must intensify efforts towards rescuing the abducted victims and bringing perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice. Nigerians deserve more proactive policing rather than reactive responses after tragedy has already occurred. Security architecture must shift from ceremonial visibility to effective intelligence-driven operations capable of dismantling criminal networks and exposing their sponsors.
At the federal level, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must treat the worsening insecurity across the nation as a national emergency demanding extraordinary measures. The increasing sophistication of bandits, kidnappers and terror groups suggests that these criminals are enjoying support from powerful sponsors and collaborators within society. Government must therefore move beyond surface-level operations and launch comprehensive investigations aimed at exposing financiers, informants and collaborators aiding these criminal activities.
It is unacceptable that criminal gangs continue to invade communities, abduct schoolchildren, kill innocent citizens, collect ransom and still escape without consequences. Such a dangerous situation sends a wrong signal that the state is gradually losing control, while citizens are left vulnerable and abandoned.
Beyond government and security agencies, traditional rulers across Nigeria must also wake up to their historic responsibilities as custodians of their communities. In the olden days, communities protected themselves through strong traditional intelligence systems, communal vigilance and collective resistance against invaders and criminal elements. Communities were united against evil, and strangers with suspicious movements were quickly identified and monitored.
Today, many communities have unfortunately become porous due to the collapse of communal values and weakened traditional security structures. Traditional rulers, community leaders, hunters, vigilante groups and youths must therefore complement government efforts by reviving local security consciousness and strengthening grassroots intelligence gathering.
This is not the time for silence, indifference or political games. Nigeria is bleeding. Rural communities are living under siege. Innocent blood continues to stain the soil daily, while families are destroyed emotionally, psychologically and economically by the activities of bandits and kidnappers.
The fight against insecurity must become everybody’s business. Religious leaders must continue to preach peace and vigilance. Community associations must support local security initiatives. Youths must resist becoming tools in the hands of criminal sponsors. Citizens must also provide useful information to security agencies instead of shielding criminal elements for selfish gains.
Most importantly, government must restore citizens’ confidence through visible and measurable action. Nigerians deserve to sleep with both eyes closed without fear of midnight attacks or abduction. Children deserve safe classrooms and secure futures. Farmers deserve peaceful access to their farms. Communities deserve freedom from fear.
The painful cries coming from Ẹ̀ṣín-Ẹ̀lẹ́, Yawota and Òkò-ilé today must not be ignored or forgotten after the news cycle fades away. They should serve as a loud national alarm demanding immediate action before more innocent lives are wasted.
As the affected families continue to agonise over the fate of their loved ones, Nigerians must stand in solidarity with the people of Orire Local Government Area, the entire Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́land, Oyo State and every community currently battling insecurity across the federation.
The time has come for Nigeria to reclaim its communities from criminals, confront insecurity with sincerity and courage, and restore hope to millions of citizens whose only desire is to live peacefully in their own country.
You can get every of our news as soon as they drop on WhatsApp ...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
