The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Ọba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, has said fear of collateral damage is slowing efforts to rescue pupils and teachers kidnapped in Ori-ire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Speaking in a video recorded Tuesday at his palace in Ogbomoso, the monarch addressed members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and protesters, explaining the challenges facing security operatives. He said many questioning the pace of the operation do not fully grasp the risks involved in attempting a rescue.
"If it were the president's or the governor's child, wouldn't they have done something about it?" Ọba Ghandi said, quoting public sentiment. "But the reason they can't do more, even if it's their own children, is what is called 'collateral damage'," he added in Yoruba, translated in the video. He warned that the bandits have shown extreme violence, including beheading a victim, making security forces cautious about launching a direct assault.
The traditional ruler said he visited the area on Saturday and saw numerous soldiers and military vehicles deployed. Despite the visible presence, he stated that operatives cannot simply storm the location where the abductees are held. "Where these people are, if they storm them… they would just kill more people they can kill," he said.
The abduction has triggered national outrage, with growing public concern over the safety of the students and teachers. Protesters gathered at the monarch's palace to demand action, while the monarch urged understanding of the operational limits faced by security agencies.
The Soun questions why security forces cannot act decisively, yet offers no answer for why soldiers seen in large numbers on Saturday have not secured the release. His warning that bandits would kill more people if confronted directly suggests any rescue attempt may cost lives already in captivity. This leaves families waiting without assurance that force will be used, even if their children are at risk. The longer the delay, the more the state's presence in Ogbomoso resembles observation, not intervention.
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