20/05/2026
Press Statement
Address This Security Challenge Now
About a week ago when an estimated 39 pupils and 7 teachers were taken away from Community High School and L.A Basic School, Ahoro Esinele; and First Baptist School (Nursery and Primary)
Yawota, all in Oriire Local Government Council of Oyo State, the general reaction, possibly was a shrug, oh, it has happened again. This reaction was certainly not out of calousness but a reflection of the extent of the loss of our humanity, and equally so, a quiet indignation and a reluctant acceptance of our new way of life.
However, Ahoro Esinele and Yawota have refused to go away, partly due to the age of the abductees (little children) and perhaps, due to the gory nature of the killing of one of the teachers in captivity.
Perhaps, it has more to do with the psychology of the bandits who derive sadistic joy from putting infants through all manner of torture and posting same in social media as an extension of that torture as well as a leverage to compel the government or the people to pay up the ransom money demanded by them. It is equally to serve as a perpetual reminder that they are in charge.
However, it is important to distinguish the reaction of security agencies and local vigilante who gave a prompt pursuit but were repelled by the use of improvised explosive devices as well as the use of the abductees as human shield.
Hererin lies the tragedy of Ahoro Esinele and Yawota. We seem to have lost the kinetic deterence and
capacity for opposed
extraction (rescue). Yet a greater
tragedy awaits us all , and that is the potential switch of loyalty to bandits en mass by the citizenry. Needless to say this represents a vote of no confidence in all of us and inherently trust in bandits to offer better protection.
Another layer of the tragedy is that there are no more safe havens in the country. From the perspective of the affected rustic communities, abductions of this nature were stories told of distant places. Now, no where is safe. It is only a matter of time before residents of mega cities get dragged out of their domicile in broad daylight.
Given this multi-layer tragedy and our seeming helplessness in the face of it all, time has come for a sincere and honest conversation and change of both strategies and tactics in the war against terror, a fundamental shift from the war as a business to one of survival.
Government at all levels must wake up . Our security agencies should do a thorough soul-searching. It is superfluous to say it is their sacred duty to protect lives and property. We believe where there is will there will be a way. Address this challenge before it is too late.
We demand action now. We have had enough of sermons and condolence messages. For how long should we bleed like this?
Comrade Joe Ajaero
President