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The Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) has issued a strong demand to the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to take urgent and decisive action to secure the release of kidnapped victims in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area, and the abducted school children in Ahoro-Esinele, Ogbomoso, both in Oyo State.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ireti Adewole, the SSSG, a coalition of 14 security-relevant organisations committed to enhancing peace and security in the Southwest region, expressed deep concern over the continued abduction of innocent citizens, which has heightened fear and insecurity in the affected communities.
Recall that on June 16, 2026, Mrs Kuburat Omowumi and her son were abducted in Igbope, a community within Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State. The incident sent shockwaves through the community and the entire Southwest region.
In the wake of the kidnap, the Oyo State Police Command pledged to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the safe release of the victims. Despite these assurances, the victims still remain in captivity.
The SSSG condemned the failure to secure the release of Mrs Omowumi and her son, and urged the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify their efforts, deploy adequate resources, and engage all relevant security agencies to rescue the victims immediately.
The group also highlighted the alarming situation of the kidnapped school children in Ogbomoso, another town in Oyo State, where innocent pupils abducted from their schools have remained in captivity since.
“The kidnapping of school children is a particularly heinous crime that disrupts education and traumatises families and communities. Government must prioritise their rescue operations and ensure that such incidents do not recur,” the group said.
According to the group, the recent spate of kidnappings in Igbope and Ogbomoso reflects broader security challenges facing the Southwest region.
“Insecurity, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and communal clashes, has adversely affected economic activities, education, and social cohesion.
“The Southwest region is in dire need of a comprehensive security strategy that involves state and local government policing, intelligence sharing, and collaboration between federal, state, local authorities, and private security groups.
“We particularly implore the Southwest State governors to collaborate with the SSSG and all our security apparatus at the grassroot in order to effectively secure our region.
“Government must also address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social marginalisation,” the statement added.
The SSSG is made up the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Society including the Agbekoya Peace Movement and Agbekoya Solidarity Movement, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, Odua Warriors, Vigilante Jahun, COMSAIC, Isokan Ile Oodua, Egbe Obinrin Oodua Agbaye and Omo Oduduwa United, among others.
