Alarmed by last Friday’s terrorist attacks on some schools in Oyo State during which about 45 persons, mainly schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted, the pan Yoruba organisation Afenifere has called for coordinated actions by South West governors to protect Yorubaland from further attacks.
It was disturbed by the attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government area of Oyo State as it passionately called on the six state governments in the region to take urgent actions, lamenting that “Yorubaland is now under siege.”
In a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the body also sympathised with the families of victims of the attacks.
It said its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, “was saddened to hear of this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the same week he marked his 100th birthday.”
Terrorists on motorbikes had early on Friday morning, attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, and L.A. Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government area, on Friday, May 15.
Afenifere said the leader sympathised with the victims and their families, praying for the quick recovery of those injured. He also expressed hope that a total end would be brought to the country’s worsening insecurity situation without further delay.
According to the statement, the latest attacks reinforced growing fears that terrorists appeared determined to overrun the South-West and, ultimately, the entire southern region.
It regretted that recent actions by South-West governors did not suggest they fully appreciated the enormity of their responsibility in securing the region.
The statement stressed that since the primary duty of government is the security and welfare of the people, South-West governments must demonstrate that they are alive to their constitutional responsibilities.
It stressed, “Everything must be done to ensure that no part of the region experiences further attacks by kidnappers and bandits.”
