Amanze Chinonye
Fresh pressure has mounted on the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of state police following the release of a new distress video by victims abducted during attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Prime Business Africa reports.
The latest video, which surfaced on Friday, showed the abducted school principal, Mrs. Alamu, making an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Oyo State Government and Nigerians to urgently intervene before the captives are harmed.
Speaking from captivity, the visibly distressed principal said both teachers and schoolchildren had been exposed to severe weather conditions, enduring sun and rain for weeks while being held in the forest by their abductors.
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Mrs. Alamu further disclosed that the kidnappers had become increasingly impatient following an earlier rescue attempt by security operatives and had allegedly selected one of the captives for execution.
“They have chosen one person to be killed,” she said in the video while pleading for urgent rescue efforts.
In the video, Mrs. Alamu repeatedly appealed to authorities and Nigerians to save them before the situation deteriorates further.
The development has intensified national outrage over the abduction, which followed coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esin-Ele/Yawota axis of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
Reports indicated that about 32 persons were abducted during the attacks, including 18 primary school pupils, seven secondary school students and seven teachers.
One of the abducted teachers was later killed by the kidnappers, further escalating concerns over worsening insecurity in the state.
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Tinubu Assures Families of Abducted Children, Orders Intensified Rescue Operations
Amid growing outrage, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde renewed his demand for the establishment of state police, accusing the Federal Government of delaying action on decentralised policing.
Speaking at a joint mega rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan, Makinde said Nigerians were being unnecessarily kept waiting despite the country’s worsening security situation.
“We wanted state police. It was because we couldn’t get the state police that we established Amotekun as a stop-gap,” the governor said.
“They should stop wasting Nigerians’ time.”
Makinde argued that states should not have to wait for directives from the Inspector-General of Police or federal bureaucracy before creating their own policing structures.
According to him, the South-West states were able to establish Amotekun through coordinated legislative actions by their various Houses of Assembly.
The governor also claimed that Lagos State was the only South-West state that refused to establish Amotekun because President Bola Tinubu allegedly opposed the initiative at the time.
“The only state that didn’t create Amotekun is Lagos State, and we know it is because their boss didn’t want Amotekun,” Makinde said.
He maintained that state police could become operational within a short period if the Federal Government grants state assemblies the constitutional authority required to establish and manage their own security outfits.
Makinde described insecurity as one of the major pillars of his administration, noting that Amotekun was established early in his tenure after it became clear that full state police powers were not forthcoming.
The growing outrage has also triggered fresh intervention from the National Assembly, with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosing that lawmakers would accelerate constitutional amendments aimed at decentralising policing powers.
According to Bamidele, rising cases of kidnapping and attacks on schools have exposed major gaps in Nigeria’s current security architecture.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier condemned the killing of the abducted teacher as “barbaric” and assured Nigerians that security agencies were working with the Oyo State Government to secure the release of the remaining victims.
Security agencies, including the police, military and Amotekun operatives, have continued rescue operations in the area, while several suspects linked to the attack, including alleged informants, have reportedly been arrested.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
