Sooko Agoriesin condemns Oyo school attack, seeks stronger security
The Sooko Agoriesin of Ile-Ife, Oladotun Hassan, has condemned the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as a painful tragedy that must not be allowed to continue in Nigeria.
Hassan, who is also the Aare Yoruba Agbaye and President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, expressed concern over the abduction of students and teachers along the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso by armed gunmen.
In a statement issued on Monday, the traditional leader said the rising insecurity affecting schools and rural communities poses a serious threat to education, peace and national development.
He described the reported killings during the attack, including those of abducted teacher Michael Oyedokun and Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan, as barbaric and unacceptable.
According to him, schools should remain safe centres for learning and moral development, not places of fear and violence.
Hassan also appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, alongside Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State Government, to host the second edition of the Yoruba Obas Conference in Ile-Ife.
He said the proposed conference should focus on tackling insecurity, kidnappings, killings and attacks across Yorubaland, while also addressing issues such as agriculture, infrastructure, education and healthcare.
The legal practitioner further urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue victims still in captivity and ensure those behind the attacks are arrested and prosecuted.
He also called on federal and state governments to strengthen local security structures, including the Eso Abo Oodua Joint Task Force, indigenous police systems, hunters, OPC and Agbekoya groups, to improve surveillance and security operations in vulnerable communities.
Hassan appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies through vigilance, intelligence sharing and collective cooperation, stressing that insecurity can only be defeated through unity and shared responsibility.
He sympathised with the families of those killed, affected communities and security operatives who reportedly lost their lives during rescue missions, while praying for the safe return of all abducted victims.
