Oriire abduction: What really is the situation? By Ben GEORGE

Oriire abduction: What really is the situation? By Ben GEORGE

The Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, rightly gauged the mood of the people when in his message this morning he remarked that his reassurance of safe return of the Oriire abductees would be less comforting. Yes, only few would be heartened by that, we have heard that over and over again, without any subsequent breakthrough.

The implication of his message is that no progress has been made. If he still submits that the bandits and the victims are still within the Old Oyo National Park, it means they are still at large. That contradicts the earlier narrative that they were trapped, and the fact that the criminals attacked the security agents with IEDs, causing the death of some operatives with several others injured. Did they slip through again? The national park is an area that should have been combed in four weeks, moreover what of the publicised deployment of surveillance aircrafts? What have they been doing? There is definitely more than meet the eyes. What about the negotiation angle?

The governor’s message is really an indictment. If with all at the government’s disposal the bandits with 47 victims are still not found after four weeks then there is something deeper we are not being told. We need more explanations. Even though the governor stated that he couldn’t say everything. The trauma of the abductees should be imagined, with fate dangling between life and death, also, the pain of their loved ones should be considered. It is as if we are being played. How could bandits attack the rescue squad today and tomorrow they are at large.

Although may be it should be taken that they are still within view if the governor asserts they are still within the national park precincts, and that he doesn’t need to say it openly. Or perhaps the strategy is to wear out the bandits and make them surrender. Whatever, time is running out and his comforting words aren’t comforting any longer.