By John Dike, Osogbo
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has condemned the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the abduction of students and teachers as disturbing, heartbreaking and unacceptable.
The monarch, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), called for immediate security action and a collective national response to rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the royal father lamented the invasion of communities within the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso by armed gunmen.
The attackers were said to have invaded Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, throwing the affected communities into panic.
Ooni Ogunwusi expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives recorded during the incident, including Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan, a commercial motorcyclist and one of the abducted teachers, Mr Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly killed while in captivity.
According to the monarch, attacks on schools and learning environments amount to an assault on the future of the nation, stressing that children and teachers must never be subjected to criminal violence.
He urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations to ensure the safe return of all victims still being held by the abductors and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Ooni also called on governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools and vulnerable rural communities to prevent future occurrences.
He appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies through vigilance and credible information sharing, noting that tackling kidnapping requires collective responsibility and national unity.
The monarch further sympathised with the families of security operatives, Amotekun Corps personnel and local vigilantes who reportedly lost their lives during rescue operations, describing their sacrifices as heroic and patriotic.
While praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased, the Ooni asked God to comfort the bereaved families and grant freedom to victims still in captivity.
