Oyo School Attacks: Afenifere Urges South-West Govs To Tighten Security

Oyo School Attacks: Afenifere Urges South-West Govs To Tighten Security

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has urged governors in the South-West to strengthen security measures across the region following the recent Oyo school attacks in Oriire Local Government Area, where suspected terrorists and bandits killed a teacher and abducted several others.

The appeal comes after coordinated attacks on three schools in the area, which have heightened concerns over rising insecurity in South-West Nigeria and the growing vulnerability of rural communities, schools and highways.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group said its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was deeply saddened by the incident, noting that it occurred during the same week he celebrated his 100th birthday.

Afenifere said Fasoranti expressed sympathy with the victims and their families and prayed for the safe return of those abducted as well as the recovery of those injured.

The organisation stressed that the protection of lives and property remains the core responsibility of government, urging state authorities to take more proactive steps to prevent further attacks.

According to Afenifere, repeated incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and armed attacks in rural communities show the need for stronger coordination among South-West states and improved deployment of security resources.

The group called on governors in the region to prioritise community security, enhance intelligence gathering, and ensure better coordination between formal security agencies and local security outfits such as the Amotekun Corps and community vigilantes.

It warned that failure to act decisively could embolden criminal groups, especially amid concerns that armed elements displaced from other parts of the country are increasingly shifting operations towards the South-West.

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Afenifere also commended the swift response of the Inspector-General of Police, noting that security agencies acted quickly by visiting the affected communities and launching intensified operations aimed at rescuing the abducted victims.

The group described the establishment and deployment of specialised police response units as a positive step, expressing hope that such measures would help curb violent crimes, school kidnappings, and rural attacks across the region.

While acknowledging that national security remains the constitutional responsibility of the Federal Government, Afenifere maintained that state governments must also maximise their resources and political authority to secure their territories.

The organisation further urged governors to move beyond periodic security meetings and adopt sustained, intelligence-driven strategies capable of preventing attacks rather than merely reacting to them.

It recommended increased investment in surveillance systems, improved monitoring of forest corridors, and stronger inter-state collaboration to track and neutralise criminal movements across boundaries.

Afenifere also extended condolences to victims of the Oyo attacks and called on residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.

The group warned that continued attacks on schools and rural settlements could disrupt education, displace communities, and worsen fear among residents if urgent steps are not taken.

The recent Oyo incident has continued to draw national attention, with stakeholders calling for urgent reforms in school security, rural protection strategies, and inter-agency coordination across Nigeria.

Oyo School Attacks: Afenifere Urges South-West Govs To Tighten Security