Ogbomoso Traditional Council Seeks Military Base Over Rising Abductions

The Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs in the Ogbomoso zone of Oyo State has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently establish a military base within the area following a series of abductions involving schoolchildren, teachers, and residents.

The appeal was made during an emergency meeting convened to address recent security breaches across parts of the zone, which comprises Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Ogo Oluwa, Orire, and Surulere Local Government Areas.

The council said the proposed military installation should be sited within the zone, preferably in Orire Local Government Area, citing its proximity to forest reserves and its vulnerability to repeated attacks by criminal groups.

The meeting strongly condemned the killing of residents and the abduction of school pupils, a teacher, as well as the vice principal and principal of a secondary school in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Orire LGA.

The council expressed grief over the killings and extended condolences to the families of victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and comfort for bereaved families.

It also acknowledged visits by the Soun-in-Council to affected families and commended ongoing engagements aimed at supporting victims and securing the release of abducted persons.

The traditional rulers further called for the establishment of military checkpoints along strategic border routes between Oyo and Kwara States to curb the movement of arms and infiltration of criminal elements.

Reaffirming their commitment to peace, the council urged coordinated action among stakeholders to restore stability to the affected communities and ensure the safe release of abducted persons.

The council also advocated the creation of state police to complement the overstretched federal policing system, urging accelerated legislative action on the proposal.

It further called for a review of the management of vast forest reserves, proposing that about 20 kilometres of such land be ceded to state governments for regulated community use, in order to deny criminals safe havens.

The council appealed for calm and continued cooperation from residents while commending the federal government, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Oyo State Government for their responses to the crisis.

It also praised the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde, through senior officials, in coordinating interventions aimed at securing the release of abducted victims.

The council, however, warned traditional rulers and community leaders against any form of collaboration with criminal elements, stating that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.