NBA and Makinde Camp Demand Full Oyo Security Architecture Overhaul

IBADAN — The Nigerian Bar Association and the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State have jointly called for a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s security architecture following the coordinated terrorist abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on May 16. The demand came in a joint statement released on Tuesday.

NBA Oyo State Chapter Chairman Abiodun Adesanya said the Oriire attack exposed catastrophic gaps in intelligence gathering, emergency response, and community security networks across the state. He said the existing security structure was clearly not fit to deal with the threat of dislodged JAS terrorists now operating in Yorubaland.

“The kidnapping of children and teachers from their school is an unacceptable failure of our security system. What happened in Oriire must never happen again. We demand a root-and-branch review of how Oyo State approaches security,” Adesanya said in the statement.

The PDP’s position in Oyo State is particularly significant because it is the party of Governor Seyi Makinde, who is now under intense pressure from within his own political family over the handling of the Oriire crisis. PDP members in the state said the governor must act decisively before the security situation deteriorates further.

What the Overhaul Should Cover

The NBA and PDP statement outlined specific demands. They called for immediate intelligence-sharing protocols between federal and state security agencies, the establishment of permanent security bases in vulnerable rural communities, and the deployment of drone surveillance technology along Oyo State’s borders with Kwara and Osun states.

In addition, they demanded a fully funded and operationally independent Amotekun Corps with a stronger mandate and better equipment. The regional security outfit has operated across South-West states since 2020 but has faced funding constraints and limitations on its operational authority that have reduced its effectiveness.

Furthermore, the statement called on the federal government to treat the southward movement of JAS terrorists as a national emergency requiring the same level of military response deployed in the northeast. The Defence Headquarters confirmed last week that JAS terrorists dislodged from the northeast carried out the Oriire attack.

Government Response

Governor Makinde has not formally responded to the NBA and PDP joint demand as of Wednesday morning. His administration has confirmed that rescue operations for the abducted Oriire victims are ongoing. Security agencies have arrested several suspects and recovered some of the abducted individuals.

Makinde is caught in a difficult position. Responsibility for internal security primarily rests with the federal government and its agencies. However, as governor, he is the most visible face of governance in Oyo State and faces the greatest political pressure when security fails.

Analysts say the Oriire crisis has significantly complicated Makinde’s 2027 presidential ambitions. A governor who cannot protect schoolchildren in his own state will face tough questions about his capacity to provide national security leadership. His response to the NBA and PDP demands in the coming days will be closely watched.