By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has described the successful rescue of the abducted pupils, teachers, and other victims in Oriire Local Government Area as a “collective victory” for the state and the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, Mr Ogundoyin lauded the collaborative efforts of the federal and state governments, as well as the security agencies, noting that the return of the victims has brought “immense relief and renewed hope” to their families and the entire state.
The Speaker highlighted that the success of the rescue operation underscored the effectiveness of synergy between federal and state security institutions.
“I warmly welcome the cheering news of the safe rescue of the abducted pupils, teachers, and other victims from Oriire Local Government,” the Speaker said. “We are grateful that what began as a painful ordeal has ended with their safe return.”
Mr Ogundoyin commended President Bola Tinubu for the support provided to security agencies, and praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his “proactive leadership” and commitment to the protection of lives and property in the state.
He further extended his appreciation to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local hunters, and other intelligence operatives for their roles in the operation.
Renewed call for State Police
While celebrating the rescue, the Speaker argued that the operation served as a testament to the effectiveness of community-based security, reinforcing his call for the establishment of state-controlled police forces.
He urged the National Assembly to accelerate the ongoing constitutional amendment process to permit the creation of State Police, asserting that decentralising the policing system would significantly improve intelligence gathering and rapid response to security threats.
“The successful rescue of these victims is worthy of celebration, but it also reminds us that we must remain steadfast in our resolve to strengthen security,” Mr Ogundoyin stated. “There is an urgent need to fast-track the establishment of State Police as part of broader efforts to address emerging security challenges and complement the efforts of existing security agencies.”
The Speaker expressed confidence that a well-structured State Police, operating within a robust accountability framework, would deepen community policing and provide more effective protection for citizens across the country.
