'We can't continue dying in silence, get our people freed,' ORC to Ogbomoso stakeholders, Oyo govt, FG

‘We can’t continue dying in silence, get our people freed,’ ORC to Ogbomoso elites, Oyo govt, FG

Yinka ADETUNJI

The Ogbomoso Recreation Club (ORC) has raised concerns over the continued captivity of about 45 students and some of their teachers from a secondary school in Ahoro Esiele, Ogbomosoland, describing the situation as deeply distressing and unacceptable.

In a statement signed by its secretary, Prof. Atiba Adeniran, it is noted that the incident had continued to generate fear, tension and emotional trauma across Ogbomosoland, as families of the abducted victims remain in distress over the safety and whereabouts of their loved ones.

The Club expressed sadness over what it described as a worsening security situation, calling for urgent and coordinated action from relevant authorities to secure the safe release of the victims.

ORC called on political leaders and elites from Ogbomosoland, including Hon. Olamijuwon Akala, Senator Fatai Buhari, and other stakeholders, to rise beyond statements and demonstrate concrete commitment towards ensuring the release of the abducted students and teachers.

It further stressed that the current situation demands accountability and leadership responsiveness, noting that public trust in political leadership may be further eroded if urgent action is not taken.

The statement also appealed to the Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to intensify efforts in collaboration with security agencies to secure the safe return of the victims, describing the development as a serious concern for the state.

It added that while the federal government controls the nation’s security architecture, both tiers of government must act decisively and visibly to address the situation and prevent further occurrences.

ORC further appealed to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, to intensify aggregate efforts toward the immediate and safe release of the abducted students and teachers, stressing that prolonged delay could heighten public tension and erode confidence in the system.

The Club emphasized that the Ilorin–Ogbomoso axis and surrounding areas remain strategically important, urging that security in the region be treated as a priority, particularly appealing to government to do everything to effect the release of the captives. It submitted this becomes imperative in view of what happened in the past when students across secondary schools in Ogbomoso mobilised to seek justice when a truck driver claimed the life of a student of Anglican Grammar School, noting, “Our youths are passionate, energetic, and deeply concerned about the safety of their communities. We must therefore be careful not to push them to the wall through prolonged silence or inaction. We all understand the strategic economic importance of the Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road to Nigeria.”

While acknowledging ongoing efforts by both the state and federal governments on security matters, ORC maintained that more urgent and decisive action is required to ensure the safe return of the victims.