By Our Correspondent
National News – Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the recent school abduction in Orire Local Government Area as a major intelligence failure, stressing that delayed information-sharing weakened efforts to stop the attack before it happened.
The governor spoke in Ibadan on Saturday during the inauguration of the Violent Crime Response Unit headquarters established by the Nigeria Police Force to tackle kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.
Makinde explained that preliminary investigations showed residents noticed suspicious movements before the attack but failed to alert security agencies quickly.
According to him, timely intelligence from members of the public remains critical in preventing insecurity and criminal activities in communities.
He urged residents across Oyo State to immediately report strange activities, unknown visitors, or suspicious gatherings to the police and other security agencies.
The governor noted that the abduction exposed weaknesses in communication between communities and security operatives, adding that the government alone could not secure lives and property without cooperation from citizens.
He stated that improved collaboration, surveillance systems, and rapid response strategies were necessary to reduce rising cases of kidnapping and violent attacks.
Makinde also described the newly launched Violent Crime Response Unit as the first specialised anti-violent crime police formation in the South-West region.
He said the initiative would strengthen the state’s security architecture through improved mobility, intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, and inter-agency cooperation.
Speaking during a demonstration by officers of the new unit, the governor commended their level of preparedness and professionalism.
He assured residents that his administration would continue supporting security agencies with logistics and operational resources needed to combat violent crimes effectively.
The governor further praised the Inspector-General of Police and the Oyo State Police Command for partnering with the state government to establish the security outfit.
He added that the initiative, though federal in structure, would have a direct local impact on communities facing security threats.
The abduction incident has continued to generate concern among residents, parents, and community leaders worried about growing insecurity in parts of Oyo State.
