The Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has called on Seyi Makinde to urgently strengthen security architecture across Oyo State following the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area.
The association made the call in a statement issued on Monday by its Chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, who expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing wave of insecurity and repeated attacks on vulnerable communities within the state.
The appeal comes days after armed men reportedly invaded three schools — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele — where several teachers and pupils were abducted during coordinated early morning attacks last Friday.
Condemning the incident, the NBA described the attacks as “barbaric” and warned that such acts must not be allowed to gain ground in a state long regarded as one of the most peaceful in the country.
The association noted that the recurring incidents point to a worsening security challenge requiring urgent, strategic, and proactive intervention beyond routine government responses.
The NBA also urged the state government to pay closer attention to the movement of people into Oyo State, warning that weak monitoring systems and unchecked influx of persons could create opportunities for criminal infiltration into local communities.
As part of its recommendations, the association called for stricter regulation of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, including a possible temporary suspension of operations to allow for proper identification and verification of operators across the state.
The lawyers’ body further advised government authorities to intensify security operations within forest reserves and isolated areas allegedly being used as hideouts by criminal elements.
It also appealed to both federal and state security agencies to scale up rescue efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the abducted teachers and pupils, expressing concern over what it described as slow progress in ongoing operations.
Reaffirming that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, the NBA called for swift, coordinated, and decisive actions to restore public confidence and prevent further deterioration of security across Oyo State.
