The Ooni of Ife and Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has strongly condemned the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the growing security threats facing communities across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Monday through the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the revered monarch called for immediate and decisive security action to rescue victims still in captivity and prevent further attacks on schools and rural communities.
The attack reportedly occurred within the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota axis of Ogbomoso, where armed gunmen invaded several schools, including Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, throwing the affected communities into fear and chaos.
Reacting to the development, the Ooni who also serves as Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), described the abduction of students and teachers as heartbreaking, disturbing, and completely unacceptable.
According to the monarch, schools should remain sacred spaces for learning and development, not centres of fear and violence.
“The targeting of innocent pupils, teachers, and educational communities is a direct assault on the future of our nation. Our children and educators must never become victims of criminality,” the Ooni stated.
The royal father also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths recorded during the incident, including that of Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan, a commercial motorcyclist, and one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly killed while in captivity.
Calling for urgent intervention, the Ooni urged security agencies to intensify ongoing rescue operations and ensure that all remaining victims are safely returned to their families while perpetrators of the attack are tracked down and brought to justice.
He further appealed to federal, state, and local authorities to strengthen security architecture around vulnerable communities, especially schools and remote settlements frequently exposed to criminal attacks.
The monarch stressed that addressing kidnapping and violent crimes in Nigeria requires a collective national effort involving government institutions, local communities, traditional authorities, and ordinary citizens.
He also encouraged Nigerians to support security agencies with credible intelligence, vigilance, and community cooperation, noting that sustainable security can only be achieved through unity and shared responsibility.
The Ooni equally sympathised with the families of security personnel, Amotekun operatives, and local vigilantes who reportedly lost their lives during rescue operations, describing their sacrifices as courageous, patriotic, and worthy of national honour.
While offering prayers for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, the Ooni prayed to Olodumare to comfort grieving families and grant freedom and safety to all victims still being held captive.
