The Oyo State Government has raised the alarm over repeated cases of kidnapping in the state, asking if it is under organised siege.
The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said this in a statement issued on Monday, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Oyelade was reacting to the reported abduction of 18 Oyo State students returning home from Sokoto State at the weekend.
The latest incident comes weeks after the state was rocked by the abduction of students and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area, heightening concerns over the safety of residents and students from the state travelling outside its borders.
The commissioner noted that for the third time in four months, the state had recorded unusual kidnapping incidents.
“Are we being targeted? Are we under organised siege? Are these uncommon decoys to distract us? Is this a political attack targeting scholarship and conviction?” Oyelade asked.
He recalled that on Friday, May 15, students and teachers from Oriire Local Government were abducted and spent 56 days in captivity under harrowing conditions.
He noted that following the incident, Governor Seyi Makinde set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry led by Justice (Prof.) Mojeed on July 31, adding that the report was submitted last week.
The commissioner said the decision to set up the panel raised some curiosity at the time.
“Ever since the submission of the report, two serial kidnapping attacks have been foisted on Oyo State. And we ask: Is this a coincidence? If it is, it is one too many,” he said.
Oyelade said Oyo citizens are an integral part of Nigeria and deserve to know those attempting to stifle their liberty to knowledge, scholarship and political liberty.
“Oyo State citizens are an integral part of Nigeria and deserve to know those who are attempting to stifle our liberty to knowledge, scholarship and political liberty,” the commissioner said.
