Pressure is mounting on the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to rescue kidnapped residents and schoolchildren in Oyo State as insecurity continues to unsettle communities across the Southwest.
The Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), a coalition of 14 security-focused organisations, on Thursday called for urgent action to secure the release of victims abducted in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area, and dozens of schoolchildren kidnapped in Ahoro-Esinele, Ogbomoso.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Ireti Adewole, the group expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims, warning that the rising wave of kidnappings has deepened fear among residents and disrupted normal life in affected communities.
The coalition includes the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Society, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, Odua Warriors, Vigilante Jahun, COMSAIC, Isokan Ile Oodua, Egbe Obinrin Oodua Agbaye, Omo Oduduwa United, and several other grassroots security organisations.
The SSSG recalled that Kuburat Omowumi and her son were abducted on June 16, 2026, in Igbope, while at least 42 pupils and teachers were kidnapped on May 15 from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L.A. Primary School, and Community Grammar School, Esiele.
Describing the abduction of schoolchildren as especially disturbing, the group urged both the federal and state governments to mobilise all available security resources to secure the victims’ safe release.
“The kidnapping of school children is a particularly heinous crime that disrupts education and traumatises families and communities. The government must prioritise their rescue operations and ensure that such incidents do not recur,” the statement read.
The coalition warned that the recent kidnappings reflect broader security challenges confronting the Southwest, noting that crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and communal clashes have continued to affect economic activities, education and community stability.
According to the SSSG, lasting peace can only be achieved through a comprehensive security strategy that promotes intelligence sharing, stronger collaboration among federal, state and local authorities, and greater involvement of community-based security outfits.
The group also appealed to Southwest governors to work more closely with grassroots security organisations while addressing underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment and social exclusion, which it said contribute to insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government and security agencies have maintained that efforts to rescue the victims are ongoing, adding that operational details are being withheld to avoid compromising the safety of those still in captivity.
