Oyo Kidnapping: Nigerians React as Ex-COAS Buratai Speaks on Insecurity
- Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has addressed Oyo State's school abduction crisis with confidence in security forces
- This is as President Bola Tinubu assured affected communities of efforts to secure the release of abducted children and teachers
- Public reactions highlighted criticism of security operatives and ongoing challenges in combating organised crime
The former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has commented on the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Buratai, while speaking in an interview with TVC, expressed confidence that the security operatives can locate the abducted pupils if they can locate influencers and other Nigerians on social media. He also called for more personnel to be recruited into the security forces.
Source: Twitter
In the interview, the former military boss said:
“I don’t believe security agencies can’t locate the bandits, if they can locate ordinary citizens, social media influencers….”
Bandits had abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo state, on May 15. The incident has attracted national attention, leading to a response from the federal government.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu sent a high-powered delegation to the affected communities and assured the people that his administration is making every effort to secure the release of the victims.
Nigerians react as Buratai speaks on Oyo abduction
However, the reaction of the former COAS has sparked reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Bamikole Joseph Omotoye criticised the security operatives:
"If to abduct citizens criticising them on social media, they are good at that, but can’t trace bandits abducting students .. we understand it is political and orchestrated, but Nigerians will now realise the reasons why the corrupt current government should be voted out of power."
Source: Facebook
Mesiri A. Abraham also criticised the security operatives in the country:
"@HQNigerianArmy, @DHQNigeria, simple question, so we have a specialised unit trained and equipped for these situations? The answer is NO! You can see from the erm erm of the former COAS, you are asking for recruitment when the ones there cannot boast of better training or equipment."
Solomon Uche PMP said the question should be directed to the police, saddled with the responsibility of internal security:
"Our military has been turned into policemen. Questions like this should be directed to the police force saddled with the responsibility of internal security. Are we saying our police force is only meant to stop and search cars on the highway?"
Tinubu Akinwunmi explained why it could be difficult to trace the assailants in the forest:
"What we are facing is asymmetric warfare, different from criminals residing in a planned geographic location with a traceable address. For God's sake, these ppl are mobile. The military can only work with intelligence to intercept the movement of terrorists in each state."
Watch the video of Buratai on X here:
Insecurity: Tinubu told to resign
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu was told to resign immediately over growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the recent school abduction in Oyo State.
APM chieftain, Olufemi Ajadi, condemned the government's inaction following the incident, emphasising the need for accountability.
Ajadi also called for stronger collaboration and decentralisation in security operations to combat rising violence and crime.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
