GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, declared that the state “is not Chibok and will never be Chibok”, vowing that the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area will be rescued safely.This came on a day social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), led a protest over rising insecurity and kidnappings in the state.
The protest, which followed a series of kidnapping incidents across Oyo State, saw demonstrators demanding urgent action from the government to secure the release of the victims and improve security across the state.
Addressing the protesters at his Ikolaba private residence, Ibadan, Governor Makinde struck an emotional tone, insisting that his administration would do everything possible to ensure that the abducted children did not suffer the fate of the Chibok school girls.
He also acknowledged the dangers surrounding the rescue operation and the loss already recorded, stressing that every effort was being made to avoid further casualties.
While accepting responsibility as governor, he explained the constitutional limitations facing state governments in security matters.
His words: “Let me make it very, very clear, Oyo State is not Chibok, and we will not be Chibok. We have lost men, even soldiers and officers, and I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago.
“If you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out? I will do it. I have lived a good life, I’m almost 60 and it doesn’t matter. Our children will never be in the same situation as the Chibok children.
“We’ve lost a teacher already. If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more, but if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it. “I will tell the truth and nothing but the truth. If I am not in government, I will be you; I’ll be protesting with you.
“I do not have anything against what you are doing. To have a society where leaders are accountable and inclusive sometimes requires agitation, sometimes it requires protest, and sometimes it requires people getting up from their comfort zones to do something like this.
“I will not shift blame. Our reality is that the state government is not in charge of all the security agencies.
“As governor, I can call the Commissioner of Police and we can meet, but I cannot deploy him. If I say go to a particular place, he will need approval from the Inspector-General of Police. The same thing applies to the military.”
Makinde further revealed his personal distress over the prolonged captivity of the pupils and teachers, noting that more than a month had passed since the abduction.
He said: “I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I am distressed about what has happened to our children. It has been one month and one day already.
“Because of the nature of the security operation involved, I cannot divulge a lot of information, but I can tell you that there is no information that any of those children or their teachers have died.
“This is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that people have kidnapped nursery and primary school children. These are children who cannot even run or do anything for themselves. So the operation to rescue them is a special type of operation if we do not want to lose any of those children.”
Reassuring residents that the government remained actively engaged in efforts to secure the release of the victims, he said: “I give you the assurance that I, as the Governor of Oyo State, will bring out those our children. They are talking to us. It is not something that we normally do. If the government starts negotiating with bandits, it means we are surrendering sovereignty to the bandits, but in this special situation, if we want those children alive, we have to bend backwards.
“Once the children are out, I give you the assurance that it will not occur again in Oyo State.”
“Nigeria does not deserve this. In an atmosphere of insecurity, you can hardly do anything. Schools have been shut, farmers have left their farms, and we are talking about food security,” he said.
VDM leads protest over insecurity
Earlier, social media activist, VeryDarkMan, said the protest was aimed at demanding answers and accelerating efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers.
He expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding their condition and criticised the prolonged delay in securing their freedom.
He said: “If the governor does not amend, we are ready to volunteer ourselves. Yes, to go into the bushes with the police, army, air force and any security operatives that are ready to go into the bush.
“As of now, we do not even know the condition of the children. We do not know if the children are still alive. Over 45 of them were taken into the bush with their teachers, and one of the teachers has been beheaded. It is quite unfortunate.”
Oyo govt demolishes building used as arms depot
Meanwhile, the Oyo State government yesterday, demolished a building in Ibadan allegedly used as a storage facility for arms and ammunition by suspected criminal elements, in a decisive move aimed at strengthening security and dismantling criminal networks operating within the state.
The demolition, carried out on the directive of Governor Makinde, followed intelligence reports and extensive investigations by security agencies, which reportedly linked the property to the concealment of weapons believed to have been used in various criminal activities.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commissioner for Public Works, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, said the action became necessary after security operatives uncovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition at the premises.
Mogbonjubola said: “Shortly after previous security operations, this location was identified as a major storage point for arms and ammunition, including sophisticated weapons. Following comprehensive investigations by the police and the submission of a detailed report by the Commissioner of Police to Governor Makinde, the governor approved the demolition of the property.”
Ondo govt moves against school attacks
Worried by attacks on schools across Nigeria, the Ondo State government, yesterday, inaugurated a 17-member committee to coordinate security for schools in the state.
The steering committee includes representatives from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, religious and traditional rulers, and the Parents-Teachers Association.
The programme is an initiative of the Federal Government aimed at protecting students and teachers from attacks, kidnappings, and other hazards.
The committee, headed by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, recommended CCTV cameras in schools, especially in remote and border areas.
Ajibefun said the committee was inaugurated to provide strategic direction and enhance coordination among stakeholders.
“You are to support the implementation of the Safe Schools Programme and strengthen mechanisms to prevent security threats in educational institutions,” he said.
He stressed that security is a shared responsibility requiring vigilance, preparedness, and collective action, and urged members to discharge their duties with diligence and integrity.
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