Abduction: Coalition Rejects Plan To Reopen Schools As Oyo Goes Spiritual

The Coalition Against Insecurity (CAI), Oyo State chapter, has rejected a reported plan by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in collaboration with unnamed and unverified stakeholders to reopen public schools that have remained shut for over two weeks following the abduction of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area, while the victims remain in captivity.

The CAI rejected the proposed move, saying, “It is reckless, insensitive, and represents an attempt to create an illusion of normalcy amid an unresolved security crisis.

“For us at CAI, it is unreasonable and unacceptable that the reopening of schools, including the affected one, is being considered while abducted students and teachers remain in captivity, with their families continuing to endure the trauma, uncertainty, and fear associated with their loved ones’ continued absence”.

The Coalition included Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Socialist Labour (SL), Campaign for Workers’ Alternative (CWA), Amilcar Cabral Ideological School-Movement (ACIS-M), All Workers Convergence (AWC), Centre for Popular Education (CEPED), Cure My Nation Initiative (CNI), Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 And Beyond (ASCAB) and Joint Action Front (JAF).

Amid the rejection of schools’ resumption, the Oyo State government has joined a special prayer session organised by the Ibadan Labala Masquerades Group for the safe release of the abducted victims of Oriire Local Government Area of the State.

The prayer, approved by the President of the Labala Masquerades Group Worldwide, Chief Ojeyemi Ajayi (Idunnu Ifa), was held at the Labala shrine in the Labo area of Ibadan.

The essence of the prayer, according to the group, is to offer traditional prayers and sacrifices on behalf of the State for the safe return of the abductees and the restoration of peace and security in the State under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde.

The Coalition, in a statement signed by Comrade Bamigboye Abiodun (Abbey Trotsky) on behalf of the Coalition Coordinating Committee, charged the Makinde-led administration to make the safe rescue and return of every abducted student and teacher its immediate priority.

“No school should be reopened until the government can provide clear evidence that schools across the state are genuinely safe and adequately protected”, it said.

The Coalition consequently demanded the immediate rescission of the proposed reopening plan.

“The reopening of any affected public school must remain suspended until all abducted persons are safely released and comprehensive security measures are visibly implemented across schools in Oyo State.

“We further demand the immediate closure of all private schools operating in defiance of legitimate safety concerns across the State. No educational institution, whether public or private, should continue operations when the lives of students and education workers are exposed to avoidable risks.

“The government cannot prioritise the resumption of academic activities while failing to address the insecurity threatening the education sector adequately.

“The protection of human lives must remain the foundation of every education policy and government decision”.

Harping on the need for prayers, the State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, represented at the event by the General Manager of the Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Kunle Agboola, commended the group’s sense of compassion, patriotism, and concern for the well-being of the victims and the State at large.

He noted that although several groups and individuals had organised prayer sessions since the unfortunate incident occurred, the gesture by the Ibadan Labala Masquerades Group was particularly commendable because it demonstrated a strong partnership with the government in addressing societal challenges.

Agboola said, “Thank you for partnering with the government in this challenging moment in our State. Unfortunately, your efforts will not be in vain. We believe that the prayers and sacrifices offered today will yield positive results and that the abductees will soon reunite with their families.

“Many groups have organised prayers concerning this incident, but I sincerely appreciate your invitation to the government to participate in this unique spiritual exercise.”

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Balogun Baale Labala of Ibadan and Oyo State, Chief Oosakola Oladejo, explained that a special sacrifice had earlier been carried out privately for the abductees.