The Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, has called for urgent action to prevent terrorism and organised criminality from spreading in the South-West. He gave the warning during a meeting with executives of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State, at the commission's headquarters in Ibadan. Oyeleye cited the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as a critical security concern. "We will keep working to ensure that Oriire does not repeat itself. We won't fold our hands. It is a tragic thing and a burden to us. Oriire must not happen here again in the South-West," he said.
Oyeleye stressed that allowing terrorism to take root in the region could threaten national stability and development. He pledged collaboration with the South-West governors and the media to prevent a recurrence. He urged stronger coordination among state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, communities, and the press in tackling emerging threats. Journalists were advised to avoid spreading fake news and misinformation, which could deepen insecurity and weaken public confidence. The media, he said, must promote accurate reporting, public enlightenment, and developmental journalism.
Segun Balogun, Head of Media Department at DAWN Commission, said the agency is ready to support journalists through training, annual lectures, and digital media initiatives. He assured the NUJ chapel of the commission's commitment to capacity-building. Also present were Dr. Adesoji Farayibi, Head of Economic Research; Dr. Omolara Ejiade, Head of Government and Data Analysis; and Ms. Alice Afolabi, Executive Assistant to the Director-General.
Dr. Seye Oyeleye warns terrorism could end Nigeria if it takes root in the South-West, yet frames prevention as a future effort rather than addressing current failures in Oriire. The abductions in Oriire already mark an established security breach, not a hypothetical threat. His call for collaboration comes after the incident, not before it. Journalists are urged to avoid misinformation while being asked to trust promises of future action instead of verified progress.
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