•Sunday Igboho and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
Following recent kidnapping of over forty pupils, a principal, and vice principal in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as ‘Sunday Igboho’ and Founder of Iru Ekun Security Network, has written to the Oyo State government, requesting comprehensive database of all public primary and secondary schools across the state to enable a preventive, intelligence-driven security deployment.
The move underscores Iru Ekun Security Network’s commitment to constructive collaboration with government, traditional institutions, and communities in safeguarding schools and ending the cycle of abductions targeting students and teachers, reports The Nation.
Iru Ekun Security Network expressed deep sympathy with people of Oyo State, particularly families of victims, school administrators, and the entire Oriire community, over the dastardly act of cowardice perpetrated by criminal elements who have remained elusive for some time.
While commending ongoing rescue efforts of both the Oyo State government and federal security agencies, the security outfit emphasized that prevention must now take center stage to ensure that schools remain safe havens for learning, not targets for marauders.
“Our hearts are with the kidnapped children, their teachers, and their families. We pray for their safe and speedy release. Beyond prayers and rescue operations, the time has come for proactive, preventive measures that will make it impossible for such incidents to recur in any part of Oyo State,” Chief Sunday Adeyemo stated.
In a formal letter addressed to the office of the Oyo State Government, Iru Ekun Security Network humbly requested names and numbers of all primary and secondary public schools within Oyo State and the exact location of each listed primary and secondary school as identified above to enable strategic deployment.
Adeyemo explained that providing this data will enable Iru Ekun Security Network to conduct comprehensive security mapping, threat assessment, and community liaison across every school environment.
According to him, Iru Ekun Security Network’s plan, upon receipt of the requested information, is to ensure that at least two trained members of the outfit are stationed at each public school identified across Oyo State.
“Our mandate will be to guard school environments, monitor access points, liaise with principals and community vigilantes, and prevent unlawful incursion by criminal elements.”
To complement this human deployment, Adeyemo urged the Oyo State government to consider the urgent need to erect perimeter fences around all public schools.
He noted that fenced perimeters will make surveillance easier, restrict unauthorized access, and enhance the effectiveness of security personnel stationed at the schools.
“Time is of the essence. Every day without preventive deployment exposes our children and teachers to avoidable risk. With proper data and perimeter security, we can create a protective shield around every public school in Oyo State.”
Junaid A. Sanusi, Esq., Legal Adviser to Iru Ekun Security Network, confirmed that all legal and operational frameworks are in place to ensure that the deployment, if approved, will be executed within the ambit of the law and in full collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, and other statutory security agencies.
The outfit stressed that its intervention is not a duplication of government responsibility but a patriotic, community-driven support aimed at complementing official security structures.
The letter has been copied to His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, Executive Governor of Oyo State, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan, for urgent consideration.
Iru Ekun Security Network reiterated its readiness to work with the government, SUBEB, TESCOM, school management boards, and community stakeholders to deliver a comprehensive, constructive, and security-wise solution that restores confidence in public education across Oyo State.
