The Olosi of Osi-Ekiti Kingdom, Oba Stephen Alabi, (Ph.d) has applauded security agencies and the Federal Government for securing the release of those that were kidnapped in both Oyo and Ekiti states
The 46 pupils and teachers, who were abducted on May 15 when armed gunmen attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area, were successfully rescued by security forces on Friday, July 9.
Fifteen worshippers kidnapped from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State, on April 28, were rescued on July 4, while one elderly woman died in the kidnappers’ custody.
Oba Alabi, in a statement he personally signed and issued on Saturday, thanked the federal and state governments of Oyo and Ekiti for securing the release of the victims.
The traditional ruler urged politicians to refrain from politicising insecurity, describing the successful rescue as a demonstration that Nigeria can overcome its security challenges through collective commitment and cooperation.
“I specially commend the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the security chiefs for facilitating the release of the victims. Their efforts give hope that Nigeria can overcome the insecurity challenges.
“National security and national cohesion should be prioritised above political attachment. The lives lost to insecurity should never become subjects of political sentiment. Politicising insecurity reflects political immaturity, insensitivity and what I describe as political banditry,”he stated.
According to the royal father, insecurity affects Nigerians regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or religion, making it imperative for all stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to address the challenge.
He appealed to political leaders across all parties, and other political platforms, to cooperate with government in tackling insecurity, saying that, “No nation has successfully defeated insecurity without the cooperation of all stakeholders, including opposition leaders.
The traditional ruler also expressed confidence that kidnapping and banditry would not gain a foothold in the South-West, insisting that Yorubaland has historically resisted criminal invasions.
“In history, no war, including banditry, has ever succeeded in Yorubaland. Those behind the kidnapping in the Southwest should repent or leave our land. Kidnapping will never thrive on our soil,”he declared.
Oba Alabi pledged that communities across the region would continue to provide credible intelligence to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remains vital in combating crime.
He cautioned against ethnic profiling, saying criminality should never be attributed to any particular ethnic group.
“Crime knows no race. Every ethnic group has both good and bad individuals. Kidnappers bring shame not only to their families, they should be ashamed of the negative image they have created,”he said.
