Oyo

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to authorise the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Borno State as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.

Falana made the call in a statement issued on Monday. He urged the Federal Government to extend to Borno some of the security measures recently introduced in Oyo State.

According to him, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of forest guards in Oyo State and also dispatched a high-level federal delegation to the state after the abduction of pupils and teachers.

The senior lawyer argued that Borno should receive similar attention due to the large number of residents who remain in captivity.

“In view of the fact that not less than 415 abducted school children and other citizens are in the illegal custody of bandits and terrorists in unknown forests in Borno State, the President should also dispatch a high-powered federal delegation to visit the state in solidarity with the people,” he said.

Falana stressed the need for immediate measures to improve security across the state, which has faced persistent attacks from armed groups.

“The President should equally approve the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for the state without any further delay,” Falana added.

He also stated that any forest guards recruited should receive adequate training and equipment to enable them confront heavily armed criminal elements.

“The forest guards must be well trained and fully equipped to confront the bandits and terrorists who are armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons,” he said.

Falana further called on the Federal Government to reconsider the legal case involving members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service. He said the government’s recent endorsement of the forest guard initiative should influence its position on the matter.

“Since the Federal Government has now embraced the forest guard initiative, the Attorney-General should discontinue the criminal case pending at the Federal High Court against the seven leaders and members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service,” he said.

He maintained that the proposed actions would strengthen security efforts in Borno State and demonstrate the government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens and restoring public confidence.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Wole Alamu, husband of Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of a Community High School in Ogbomoso, has appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to step up efforts aimed at securing her release and that of other victims still in captivity.

Alamu made the appeal on Saturday when the governor visited families of victims affected by the abduction incident. He became emotional during the visit and was seen in tears while speaking about his wife’s ordeal.

Rachael Alamu was among teachers and students abducted on May 15 when armed men invaded three schools along the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Oriire Local Government Area in Ogbomoso. The attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles and took away dozens of pupils and staff from Community High School, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

During the attack, an assistant headmaster identified as Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist were killed. Governor Makinde also disclosed that seven teachers were taken away, while one of them, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

In a video shared on Instagram on Friday, the abducted principal called on both federal and state authorities not to use force in any rescue operation, warning that such action could endanger lives. She also said the kidnappers threatened to kill another victim if security forces attempted a forceful rescue.

Speaking during the governor’s visit, Alamu expressed gratitude for the efforts so far but urged him not to slow down in the rescue operation.

“Our governor, we thank you because we know the efforts you have made since this incident happened. But please, don’t be weary in the rescue mission for our people in captivity,” he said.

He also described the emotional pain caused by the circulation of his wife’s video in captivity.

“My wife is the one being used to make the videos that are being circulated. It is very disheartening and depressing,” he said in Yoruba while kneeling and pleading with the governor.

Governor Makinde later embraced the distraught man as he broke down in tears.

The governor said he understood the pain of the families and assured them of ongoing efforts to secure the release of the abductees.

“All I need is your cooperation. Please trust us. I cannot speak much because of security implications. I know your hearts are bleeding. My heart is also bleeding. Please trust us. We will secure their release,” Makinde said.

The incident has added to growing concern over rising cases of abductions and attacks spreading into the South-West region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has reacted to reports of insecurity in Oyo State after terrorists allegedly killed a school teacher and abducted several other victims.

Adeyanju made the remarks in a Facebook post on Monday, where he expressed concern over the growing spread of violent attacks beyond Nigeria’s traditional conflict zones.

According to him, “Terrorists have beheaded a school teacher in Oyo State with many other victims still in their custody. Oyo state, not Borno state! Oyo is just one hour from Lagos.”

The activist said the development shows that insecurity is worsening across the country. He also questioned President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office amid the current security situation.

“On what basis is Tinubu seeking re-election? Is it so that the insecurity can continue and spread all over Naija?” he asked.

The post has triggered reactions on social media, with many users expressing fears over the increasing cases of kidnapping and violent attacks in different parts of the country.

Security agencies in Oyo State have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Residents of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are in mourning after kidnappers reportedly killed one of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.

The victim, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly murdered in a video said to have been released by the abductors on Sunday.

The footage, which surfaced on Telegram and was seen by journalists on Monday, showed the teacher tied up and forced to speak before he was killed. The incident has sparked anxiety over the fate of the remaining captives.

Families of the victims, community members and concerned residents have continued to urge security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to rescue those still being held by the gunmen.

The Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, confirmed the killing in a statement issued on Monday. He said the governor had sympathised with the family of the deceased teacher and assured residents that the government would employ both military and non-military measures to secure the release of the remaining victims.

Olanrewaju also disclosed that security agencies had arrested about six persons linked to the abduction.

He further condoled with the families of soldiers, members of the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes who died during rescue operations.

According to him, the operatives encountered Improvised Explosive Devices planted by the abductors during the mission.

He added that injured security personnel were responding to treatment and assured that the state government would provide the necessary support for their care.

He appealed to families of the victims, religious organisations and other stakeholders to remain calm while rescue efforts continue.

“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly.

“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he stated.

The governor’s aide also said progress had been made in the investigation, with several suspects already in custody.

“Well, from the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality.

“Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists.

“Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested by another security outfit within the state,” he said.

The abduction occurred on Friday, May 15, when armed men stormed the school and kidnapped the principal, several teachers and some students.

The incident has renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, especially after an earlier attempted kidnapping along the Ibadan-Ijebu road reportedly claimed the life of a traveller.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Mr. Samuel Oyetayo, aged 35, faced charges on Monday for allegedly forging the Oyo Government hackney permit and ticket.

Oyetayo, whose address remains undisclosed, stood trial for a count charge related to forgery of the Oyo Government hackney permit.

Despite the accusation, he pleaded not guilty.According to the prosecutor, Insp Toyin Ibrahim, the defendant committed the offense on May 1, in the vicinity of Dugbe, Ibadan.

It was alleged that Oyetayo forged the Oyo Government hackney permit and ticket without proper governmental authorization.

The offense was cited as a violation of Section 467 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Magistrate Mrs. Kausarat Ayofe granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000, along with two sureties in a similar amount.

The case was adjourned until June 24 for further hearing.