Schools Must Not Become Hunting Grounds

The Yoruba Council of Elders has condemned the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, warning that schools must never become targets for kidnappers as insecurity continues to spread across parts of Nigeria’s South-West region.

by folarin aluko

The Yoruba Council of Elders has strongly condemned the recent abduction of pupils, students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, warning that rising insecurity across the South-West poses a growing threat to education, public safety and regional stability.

In a statement issued by the organisation’s Secretary-General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, the council described the attack on schools in Yawota and Esinele communities as “an assault on the conscience of Nigeria” and a dangerous sign of worsening insecurity in Yorubaland.

The victims were reportedly abducted on Friday, May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esinele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire LGA.

Reacting to the incident, the council insisted that schools must remain safe spaces for learning and development, not targets for kidnappers and armed groups.
“Schools must never become hunting grounds for kidnappers and bandits,” Oyewole stated.

The group called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy special security forces, intelligence assets and logistical support to secure the unconditional release of the abducted victims.

According to the council, the Oyo abduction highlights a broader national security crisis that could spread further across the South-West if urgent preventive measures are not taken.

The organisation also urged governors across the six South-West states, Lagos State, Ogun State, Ondo State, Osun State, Ekiti State and Oyo State  to strengthen regional security cooperation beyond political affiliations.
“Yorubaland cannot afford to become the next frontier of mass abduction,” the statement warned.

The council advocated for the expansion and strengthening of the regional security outfit, Amotekun Corps, through improved training, modern equipment and stronger legal backing for intelligence-led operations.

It further called for collaboration with indigenous security stakeholders, including the office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Igboho, whom the group credited for previous contributions to regional security awareness.

The council also appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to establish a joint South-West security task force focused on intelligence sharing and monitoring criminal movement across state borders.

Among its recommendations was the urgent deployment of Armed School Protection Units in vulnerable local government areas, particularly communities located near forests and remote routes often exploited by criminal groups.

The statement additionally expressed sympathy for the families of the abducted victims and the relatives of a Mathematics teacher reportedly killed during the attack.

Security concerns surrounding schools have increasingly become a national issue in recent years, with repeated cases of mass kidnappings across different parts of Nigeria raising fears among parents, educators and local communities.

The latest incident in Oyo has once again intensified calls for stronger regional security coordination and better protection for students and schools across the country.