Ekiti monarchs laud Tinubu over rescue of Oyo pupils, teachers

…seek new approach to tackling insecurity

The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces for the successful rescue of 44 school pupils and their teachers who were abducted nearly two months ago in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The monarchs described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the nation’s fight against insecurity.

The traditional rulers said the operation demonstrated that Nigeria possesses the military capability, intelligence assets, and operational expertise required to decisively confront terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements threatening the country’s peace and stability.

In a statement issued on Sunday on behalf of the council by its Chairman, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, and made available to Nigerian Tribune, the monarch praised President Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for what he described as a courageous and professionally executed rescue mission.

According to the royal father, the operation represents a refreshing shift in the government’s response to kidnapping and terrorism, urging the federal government to sustain the momentum across all parts of the country.

“The rescue operation is a delight and signals a new paradigm in the response of government to abductions and kidnappings in Nigeria. We must never allow these wicked people to go unchallenged henceforth,” the statement read.

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Oba Adu-Alagbado noted that the courage, professionalism and coordinated efforts displayed by the military had further reinforced public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.

“The bravery of our Armed Forces, their intelligence capabilities and operational expertise have shown that the nation has what it takes to stamp out the criminal elements disturbing the peace of the country,” he stated.

The Ekiti monarch urged President Tinubu to ensure that the same firm strategy is adopted nationwide, especially in areas where communities continue to suffer attacks from terrorists and kidnappers.

He also called on governors in parts of the country where negotiations and payments have reportedly been made to criminal groups to discontinue such practices, insisting that decisive military action remains the most effective response to terrorism and kidnapping.

The council further appealed to the federal government to deploy similar military assets and intelligence resources to other flashpoints across the country to secure the release of victims still in captivity and restore confidence in public safety.

The monarch said, “As traditional rulers, we are delighted by this new vigour, resolve, and determination of the President. We are proud of the professionalism, unity of purpose and tactical expertise with which the operation was conducted.”

The royal fathers also called on Nigerians to support ongoing efforts by the security agencies through timely intelligence sharing and cooperation, stressing that defeating insecurity requires collective responsibility.

They maintained that terrorists and other violent criminals must not be allowed to gain footholds in any part of the country, adding that sustained collaboration between the government, security agencies, and local communities would strengthen national security.

The council congratulated the people of Oriire Local Government Area, particularly the Esiele and Yawota communities; the traditional rulers of the affected communities, the rescued pupils, teachers and their families, as well as the Oyo State Government on the successful operation.

While celebrating the rescue, the traditional rulers expressed deep condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, through the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oloyede, over the loss of gallant military personnel who paid the supreme price during the operation, describing their sacrifice as a testament to the courage and patriotism of the nation’s armed forces.