Sooko Agoriesin Of Ile-Ife condemns Oyo school attack, calls for stronger security measures, appeals to Ooni to host 2nd Yoruba Obas conference
Sooko Agoriesin Of Ile-Ife condemns Oyo school attack, calls for stronger security measures, appeals to Ooni to host 2nd Yoruba Obas conference
By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Sooko Agoriesin of Ile-Ife, Oladotun Hassan, has condemned the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as a painful and disturbing tragedy that must never be allowed to continue in the country.
In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, the respected royal father who doubles as the Aare Yoruba Agbaye, President of the apex umbrella body for all Yoruba indigenous people globally: Yoruba Council Worldwide expressed deep concern over the abduction of students and teachers from schools within the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso by armed gunmen.
Sooko Hassan lamented the growing insecurity confronting schools and rural communities, saying the attack on innocent pupils, teachers and residents represents a direct threat to the future of education and national peace.
He described the reported killings recorded during the incident, including that of an abducted teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan and others, as barbaric, wicked and unacceptable.
According to him, educational institutions should remain safe environments for learning and moral development, not centres of fear, violence and bloodshed.
The legal practitioner and traditional leader appeal to his Spiritual Father of Yoruba race , His Imperial Majesty, Arole Olofin Adimula Oonirisa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife and Senator Ademola Adeleke, Executive Governor of Osun to jointly host the 2nd Edition of the Yoruba Obas Conference in Ile-Ife, specifically to address the growing spate of insecurity and spiral gruesome attacks, killings, kidnappings, invasion by terrorists into Yorubaland, which calls for an urgent attention and greater concern.
Under the conference, there should be discussion on other pressing issues of mutual importance and national interests such as Agriculture, Infrastructure, Education, Healthcare to mention a few while using this medium to call on security agencies to intensify efforts toward rescuing all victims still in captivity while ensuring that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted without delay.
He also urged both federal and state governments to strengthen the establishment of Eso Abo Oodua Joint Task Force; State and Local Government Areas Indigenous Police, tactically fortified with our powerful Hunters, OPC, Agbekoya, Ode, to metion a few, while ensuring joint collaboration on security surveillance across vulnerable communities, especially around schools and remote areas frequently targeted by kidnappers and criminal gangs.
Sooko Hassan further appealed to Nigerians to support ongoing security operations through vigilance, intelligence sharing and collective cooperation, stressing that insecurity can only be defeated through unity and joint commitment.
While sympathising with families of the deceased, affected communities and security operatives who reportedly lost their lives during rescue missions, he prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved families and safe return of all abducted victims.
He reaffirmed the need for sustained national action against kidnapping and other violent crimes threatening peace and stability across the country.
