NISCN urges FG to establish military formations in Ogbomoso, demands urgent action on Oriire abductions

NISCN urges FG to establish military formations in Ogbomoso, demands urgent action on Oriire abductions
Yinka ADETUNJI

The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently approve the establishment of military formations in strategic locations in Ogbomoso and along border corridors, following rising insecurity and recent abductions in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

This is as the council also urged swift action on the rescue of abducted teachers and students in Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire, as well as other recent kidnapping incidents within Ogbomoso axis and Ibadan, including staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).

The call was contained in a press statement signed by the National President of NISCN, Engr. John Obajinmi, and made available to journalists in Ogbomoso.

The council noted that the security situation along the borders between Oyo State and northern Nigeria, as well as the South West corridor bordering the Republic of Niger, has become increasingly worrisome, with repeated attacks on schools, farms, and workers.

According to the statement, about 40 teachers and students were abducted at LA School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area, an incident which also led to the killing of some teachers, while several victims remain in captivity after about 10 days.

“The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) wishes to draw the urgent attention of the Federal Government to the worrisome security situation along the borders between Oyo State, northern Nigeria, as well as the South West corridor bordering the Republic of Niger,” the statement reads.

It described the incidents as a direct threat to occupational safety across sectors, warning that continued insecurity could negatively affect productivity in both formal and informal sectors of the economy.
While acknowledging what it described as government efforts in addressing insecurity, the council said emerging patterns of attacks require “new strategies” and stronger coordination between security agencies.

The NISCN therefore made several recommendations to the Federal Government, including the establishment of forward military formations and operational bases along critical border corridors, particularly between Oyo State and northern states, as well as the South West–Niger Republic frontier.

It further urged the Federal Government to consider deploying a sustained military presence around strategic areas such as the Old Oyo National Park in Oriire Local Government Area, noting that the terrain provides a viable location for security operations.

The council also called for decisive action on recent abductions in Oriire, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan, stressing the need for intelligence-driven operations and improved inter-agency coordination to ensure the safe rescue of victims.

In addition, it advocated for the empowerment of local security organisations in the South West, calling for legal backing, training, and equipment to enhance their operational effectiveness in rural communities.

“The safety of Nigerian workers is non-negotiable,” the statement added, urging security agencies to intensify efforts in securing farmlands, village roads, and market corridors, particularly on market days.

The council maintained that strengthening local security architecture would improve early warning systems and rapid response capacity, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with federal and state authorities, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders in promoting workplace safety, secure supply chains, and protection of workers nationwide.