Twenty-three schoolchildren and three teachers remain missing after an abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, prompting calls for Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently engage President Bola Tinubu on security intervention. Former Presidential Media Aide Laolu Akande urged the governor to seek federal support, stressing that national security apparatuses remain under federal control. Akande made the appeal during an appearance on Channels Television's 'Sunrise Daily' on Thursday, noting that while state governors receive security votes, ultimate authority over military and police resources lies with the federal government. He stated he did not wish to downplay efforts by the Oyo State government but emphasized the need for visible coordination between state and federal authorities. Akande pointed out that President Tinubu was in Lagos as recently as two days prior, while Makinde is based in Ibadan, questioning why the two have not convened to address the crisis. According to Akande, the President should summon Makinde to present a joint plan, underscoring that only the federal government can mobilize military assets for such operations. No official update has been given on the whereabouts of the abducted students and staff, nor on ongoing rescue efforts. The Oyo State Government has not publicly confirmed any direct communication with the Presidency since the incident.
A former presidential aide publicly urging a sitting governor to "eat the humble pie" exposes a troubling breakdown in executive coordination over a kidnapping crisis. If security resources are indeed under federal control, the failure of the governor and president to meet—despite proximity—raises doubts about crisis response efficiency. The appeal for visible synergy suggests state-federal collaboration is absent when it is most needed. This delay in high-level engagement could cost lives.
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