“I’m Awaiting FG Approval to Flush Out Criminals in South-West” — Sunday Igboho Reacts to Oyo School Abduction

Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho has called on the Federal Government and South-West governors to urgently approve the operation of a regional security initiative aimed at tackling rising criminal activities in forested areas across Yorubaland.

Igboho made the appeal in a statement released on Tuesday while reacting to the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in rural communities.

He said he was fully prepared to launch a security operation under the proposed “Iru Ekun Security Network” but insisted that official approval from the Federal Government, South-West governors, and relevant security agencies was necessary before any action could be taken.

“I’m only awaiting the approval of the government to tackle growing insecurity ravaging the South-West headlong,” he said.
According to him, all necessary arrangements for the proposed security network had already been concluded, including operational plans targeted at flushing out kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements reportedly operating from forest reserves across the region.

He stressed that the operation would not commence without formal backing from security institutions including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“I don’t want to start our strategic and effectively mapped out onslaught against these criminals without the official approval from the Federal Government, South-West governors and relevant security stakeholders,” he said.
Igboho described the recent attack in Oriire and other similar incidents across the South-West as “sad, unfortunate and worrisome,” particularly because of the impact on schoolchildren, teachers and rural communities.

“My heart is with the parents of the abducted pupils and families of the slain teachers who lost their lives in these dastardly acts,” he added.
He warned that continued delays in addressing insecurity could worsen attacks on rural settlements, calling for urgent action to restore public confidence in affected communities.

“We are battle-ready with our men to storm these forests and flush out marauders who have made life miserable for our people. We cannot continue like this while our people are being mindlessly murdered and abducted,” he said.
The activist also urged traditional rulers in the region to intervene by engaging government authorities to expedite approval for the security initiative, saying such collaboration was necessary to curb the rising wave of kidnappings.

The comments come in the wake of coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, where several pupils and teachers were abducted during a morning raid.
Authorities are yet to release full details on the number of victims or the status of ongoing rescue operations.