Oriire abduction: Are we being taken for a ride? By Ben GEORGE

It is 28 days today that bandits attacked three schools in Oriire local government area of Oyo state kidnapping a total number of 39 students/pupils/babies and 7 teachers including a principal and two vice principals. Also, a teacher, a student and another person were killed on the spot.

Information on the dastardly incident spread immediately, reported on every available platform, the moment ogbomosoinsightonline.com broke the news. Security agents responded and within 48 hours the abductors and the abductees were found after rigorous, intelligence-driven tracking, with kudos to the hunters who knew the terrain well just as the nature of their call came in handy. Everybody was happy that freedom was in sight for the captives. However, for four weeks now it is not yet uhuru. The captives are still in captivity, though their encampment is said to be surrounded by operatives in the frontline. That you have criminals together with the abductees within grasp and nothing could be done in 28 days is virtually inexplicable and disconcerting. The initial narrative was that the criminals were using the victims as human shield, that is putting them in the frontline to take the bullets for them.

This was acceptable in the first week of the stalemate. But for four weeks it connotes something else – lack of resourcefulness and tactical adaptability on the part of those in charge, complicity as suggested by some, or apathetic attitude. That is why I ask, are we being taken for a ride? Problems are meant to be solved but when the difficulties posed in the way of solving a problem, are the main focus, and not the way to maneuver and get around it, then, it shows the mindset and competence level of those in charge. For how long shall the families of the victims and the generality of the people wait because of this? Four weeks after, the tale still revolves round adoption of human shield tactic by the bandits. It only exposes our leaders. They don’t have a winning mentality, they are accustomed to the easy life, amassing wealth legit and illegit, outsmarting opponents in elections; it is one of the reasons the option of rewarding bandits through ransom payment seems to be the preference.

There are many strategies to adopt to secure freedom for the abductees. We are supernaturally endowed, and various traditional options are available to deploy to neutralize the bandits and effect the rescue of the hostages. Another is use of technology. The world is so advanced now that such mission is simple. Why have they refused to explore that option? Why can’t a sneak attack be made at night perhaps through paratroopers by which the hostage takers would be caught by surprise, such attack on them rather than be preoccupied with killing hostages, the suspects would precariously be anxious with saving their one neck. Sure, some of the hostages may be hit in crossfire, but let’s leave that to destiny. They could contract mercenaries to do it if our military don’t have the ability. But I know we have brave and excellent men in our various forces, but if they are not ordered what can they do? We have heard of non-state actors who vowed they would rescue the abductees if given the go-ahead but they are ignored. There are others who have not come on air who can easily also accomplish that but why are they not consulted? We have Oluodes, why are they not invited? It is regrettable we often live in denial of our traditional endowments, yet the purveyors are the people they patronize under the cover of darkness but to embrace them openly is always an anathema for them. If it were to be the period the Obas held sway, a solution to the quagmire would definitely have been found.

It is annoying that four weeks after, those in captivity are still in captivity. The easy option of negotiation, we are not sure is even being explored, what is the big deal? – We want this, no, we can’t concede that, this is what we can! Is it more than that? But now all we hear is “People should be patient!” “We are working on it!” “We can’t endanger our children and teachers by attempting a rescue!” blah blah blah. The Deputy Governor of the state came to meet with the affected families, the governor had, even President Bola Tinubu sent a high-powered delegation, politicians of various hues have been there too, but all to no avail. Isn’t it shameful? A whole governor, a whole National Security Adviser intervened yet less than twenty bandits holding children can’t be dislodged. The Air Force also joined in the charade saying they were deploying drones and aircrafts to track the bandits. Which tracking again? They are all full of rhetoric, no action! This has really exposed them that they lack the capability to navigate problematic situations. They can only hurl intimidation at the governed.

It has really become embarrassing to say the least or perhaps they are angling that people will soon forget the episode and move on. People have challenged them on the swiftness with which the Adebayo Adelabu’s abducted sister and her twins were rescued, only for the government to give disjointed explanations, harping that the scenarios were not the same. But what is the difference, one may ask? Children are involved in the two, so, what is the difference? Two situations can’t be the same. Government needs to look inward and do something; a good leader needs to be decisive at perilous times. In this standoff maybe the government allows the people to find solution themselves, or for how long will they remain in the gulag of the bandits under those inclement conditions. The shoe is pinching more than they can imagine, eni to kan lo mon. It is perhaps more than meet the eyes as insinuated.

We need to get this behind us right away!