Oyo school attack: Regulate influx of people, Okada riders, NBA urges Makinde

The Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to implement stricter measures to control the influx of people into the state and regulate commercial motorcyclists. This appeal comes in the wake of coordinated attacks on three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, which resulted in the abduction of scores of teachers and students.

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This barbarism must not be allowed to have a foothold in an erstwhile peaceful environment. We must not allow this latest incident to be added to the consistently growing list of unresolved horrendous crimes perpetrated against the hapless people of this country.

In a statement released by its Chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, the NBA urged the state government to take a "keen interest" in regulating the movement of people and to rigorously regulate the operations of commercial motorcyclists (Okada) for a period to verify their identities. The association emphasized that "this barbarism must not be allowed to have a foothold in an erstwhile peaceful environment."

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The perpetrators of this attack and their sponsors must be unmasked. The government at different levels must act in earnest to confront this menace. The state must rise above characteristic but ineffectual reactions to grave acts of barbarism which assail our sensibilities.

The NBA stressed the urgency for both federal and state governments to intensify efforts in rescuing the abducted victims. They warned that "the perpetrators of this attack and their sponsors must be unmasked" and criticized "characteristic but ineffectual reactions to grave acts of barbarism." The association cautioned that if criminals are allowed to operate freely, residents may feel compelled to resort to "self-help." They also advised the government to look beyond revenue generation and prioritize the protection of lives and property, especially as the ease with which criminals attack and escape justice is a significant concern.

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The Oyo State Government should take a keen interest in the ceaseless influx of people into the state. The operations of commercial motorcyclists (Okada) must be regulated vigorously.