Oyo kidnapping: Bala Mohammed urges security overhaul, blames governance failures for insecurity

By Adeola Badru

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework, stating that the country’s ongoing insecurity reflects deeper problems of weak governance, poverty and insufficient cooperation between security agencies and the public.

The call was made on Sunday during a visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan. Mohammed expressed sympathy for the people of Oyo State following the abduction of teachers and pupils from the Yawota and Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

Accompanied by leaders of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), including National Chairman Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle and the party’s governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Dr Yakubu Adamu, the governor said the national security system needed urgent review to enhance effectiveness, intelligence gathering and coordination among agencies.

While expressing confidence that the abducted teachers and pupils would be released, Mohammed praised the Oyo State Government’s efforts to secure their freedom.

Speaking with journalists after meeting Makinde, he said: “I am here with our leaders from the Allied People’s Movement to commiserate with our presidential candidate and the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, about the travails that the people and government of Oyo State are going through as a result of the abduction of our school children and their teachers.”

“It has been a lingering issue for some time, and we are really sharing with him the grief. We are here to encourage him that what he is doing to ensure their release is being noticed by the whole nation.”

“And we join, on behalf of myself, the government and people of Bauchi State, to commiserate with him, and to encourage him, to ensure that these Nigerians are released.”

Mohammed pledged support for efforts to secure the safe return of the victims and said he was prepared to assist the Oyo State Government in any way possible.

Addressing the broader security situation in the country, the governor argued that insecurity cannot be separated from socio‑economic conditions and leadership challenges.

“The security situation is a manifestation of a lack of good governance, poverty, and the challenges of life. Beyond that, I think the citizenry should sit up and make sure that they take their destinies into their hands,” he said.

He urged citizens not to aid criminal activities and called on Nigerians to elect leaders capable of addressing the country’s challenges.

“People need to take their destinies into their hands to make sure that they don’t allow themselves to be informants or to play along with criminal tendencies. And, of course, to make sure that they elect good people to lead them.”

“Leadership is another function, and they must make sure that they bring some changes, and they know where the shoe pinches. I don’t have to talk too much.”

“We don’t have to exonerate ourselves at any level of leadership, at the sub‑national, national or local government. But I think during the next election cycle, people should take their destinies into their hands.”

Mohammed also used the visit to congratulate Makinde on his emergence as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement.

“He is my jolly good friend, a young man with energy, determination and drive, who can do a lot to change the trajectory of leadership and good governance in Nigeria,” he said.

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