Oyo Govt Tackles FG Over Rising Kidnapping, Banditry After Corps Members’ Release

The Oyo State Government has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle the persistent challenge of kidnapping and banditry across the country following the release of corps members from the state abducted in Imo State.

The state government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Wednesday, congratulated the Oyo and Imo State governments as well as the Federal Government on the successful release of the corps members.

The statement said Oyo Government was relieved that the corps members had regained their freedom after being held in captivity.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to be more proactive in tackling insecurity, stressing that it has the greatest power and capacity to effectively address the crisis.

“It is worrisome that large pockets of kidnappings and banditry still dominate the Nigerian landscape, the constant robust assurances from the Presidency notwithstanding,” Oyelade stated.

The commissioner said the release of the Oyo corps members was a development worthy of commendation, but stressed that more needed to be done to prevent similar incidents.

He noted that, at the last count, no fewer than 200 Nigerians were still languishing in forests after being abducted in circumstances where government appeared to have no clear knowledge of their whereabouts.

Oyelade urged relevant security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and coordinated operations to rescue those still in captivity and prevent further abductions.

He said the Federal Government must live up to its responsibility of making Nigerians safer, adding that the continued cases of kidnapping and banditry remained a source of concern.

The commissioner reiterated the Oyo State Government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of its citizens, particularly youths serving the nation under the National Youth Service Corps scheme.