The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter, Dr. Elisha Olukayode Ogundiya, has expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the country, saying Nigerians no longer feel safe despite the presence of security structures.
Ogundiya stated that although the government has made efforts to tackle insecurity, the measures have not produced the desired results.
“I think the government is trying, but I don’t think its efforts have yielded the expected result. The government needs to be more proactive. The insecurity is all over the country. The terrorists have come to the West from the North,” he said.
Reacting to the recent attack on three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where about 50 persons, including pupils, teachers and other residents, were reportedly abducted, the cleric questioned how criminal elements could occupy government-reserved forests and operate freely.
He recalled the abduction of schoolgirl Leah Sharibu and lamented the continued existence of terrorist hideouts across the country.
“Sambisa Forest did not emerge overnight. Why did the government allow terrorists to remain in the forest and continue terrorising the nation?” he asked.
According to him, reports that the victims kidnapped in Orire were taken into reserved forests raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of security measures.
“How did Fulani herders settle in government-reserved forests without permission? If our state is not porous, how can people settle in protected forests with their cows, cause trouble, kill people, and yet the government and security agencies are unable to do anything about it?” he queried.
The CAN chairman argued that the existence of security agencies alone does not guarantee safety.
“There may be security structures in place, but they are clearly not functioning effectively. Once something is not functioning, it is as good as non-existent. The primary responsibility of security agencies is to protect the people, yet Nigerians don’t feel secure,” he said.
Ogundiya further questioned how armed groups allegedly operating in forests were able to obtain weapons, food supplies and other support systems without being detected.
“It would not be out of place for people to conclude that the government is aware of the Fulani settlers occupying the government-reserved forest. How can the government allow terrorists to take over its property and use it for criminal activities such as kidnapping, killing and collecting ransom while nothing meaningful is done about it?” he said.
He also expressed concern over the delay in deploying the surveillance aircraft reportedly purchased by the Oyo State Government.
“We all heard that the Oyo State government bought two aircraft for surveillance. Where are the aircraft? If we had two aircraft, our military men would have been using them to deal with the situation. These aircraft have been purchased since last year and are yet to become functional,” he said.
The cleric appealed to the government to act swiftly to secure the release of those kidnapped in Orire before their lives are endangered.
“We are appealing to the government to act quickly before these people are killed. Imagine these helpless victims being exposed to both rain and scorching sun,” he said.
He recounted incidents in Itesiwaju Local Government Area where suspected kidnappers reportedly abducted farmers and threatened entire communities, saying such developments demonstrate the growing insecurity in rural areas.
Despite the situation, Ogundiya urged Nigerians to remain prayerful, expressing confidence that God would intervene in the release of the abducted victims.
“The same God who set Paul and Silas free from prison, and who delivered Peter from captivity, will also bring freedom to those who were recently kidnapped,” he said.
He, however, called on the government to intensify efforts to address insecurity across the country.
“We appreciate what the government is doing, but it needs to do more because the current efforts are not enough and are not yielding the desired results,” he added.
