You’ve made a turning point on kidnapping in Nigeria, Olubadan lauds Tinubu

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended President Bola Tinubu's administration for its handling of the kidnapping crisis, declaring it a "turning point" in the fight against the crime.

During a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Oba Ladoja expressed gratitude for the government's firm stance against paying ransoms to kidnappers. He noted that this approach has restored confidence in the government's capacity to tackle insecurity, particularly following the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

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We wish you well, Mr President; we (Council of Oyo Obas) feel it is important to come and say thank you to you. When we had the problem of the kidnapping, this was the first major one in Oyo State, we were apprehensive, we said what was the Federal Government and Oyo State Government doing? But we have now seen that, working with your security forces, you have made a turning point on the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria. Your decision not to pay ransom and to stand firm shows that we have a government that knows what it is doing.

"Your decision not to pay ransom and to stand firm shows that we have a government that knows what it is doing," Ladoja stated, emphasizing that the situation in Oyo State could have escalated similarly to the Chibok abductions.

He urged President Tinubu to sustain security operations in the forest corridor connecting Oyo and Niger states, highlighting the importance of continuous surveillance to prevent criminal groups from re-establishing themselves in the area. The monarch stressed that securing this reserve forest is crucial for the overall security of Oyo State.

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We cannot thank you enough for the feat. It was a big feat because the people of Oyo State almost thought the situation was going to be another Chibok. And whether it will be a perennial issue. Let me also advise that you should not please abandon the forest. You have been able to send the kidnappers away. Let us have the presence of security agencies there. It is a forest that extends to Niger State. It is meant to be a reserve. If we are able to secure the place, it means that Oyo State is secured.