The National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America, Egbe Omo Yoruba, North America, has criticised governors in the Southwest over what it described as their complacency in addressing growing insecurity in the region, following the abduction of elementary school pupils in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The group said it was unacceptable that children could no longer attend school without fear of being kidnapped in a region historically known for peace, education and development.

This was disclosed in a communiqué on Thursday issued after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council, signed by the group’s National President, Dr. Ayodeji Famuyide, on behalf of the National Executive Council, alongside the National Secretary, Agba-Akin Akinrotimi Kuteyi, and the National Secretary of Public Relations, Funmilola Iyiola.

The organisation expressed concern over what it called the failure of political leaders to provide adequate protection for residents, particularly vulnerable schoolchildren.

“We are alarmed at the attitude and complacency of the Southwest governors and the governor of Oyo State who is expected by his constitutional duty to safeguard lives and property in the state,” the group said.

According to the association, the Ogbomoso abduction underscores the urgent need for a coordinated regional security strategy to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities threatening communities across the Southwest.

The group called on the Oyo State Government to immediately mobilise all available security resources to secure the unconditional release of the kidnapped pupils.

It also urged Southwest governors to move beyond political rhetoric and develop an effective regional security mechanism capable of confronting the growing wave of insecurity, including kidnapping and banditry.

Egbe Omo Yoruba argued that the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, would achieve little without the necessary operational equipment and resources.

“Establishment of Amotekun Security Agency without enough security gadgets is akin to sacrificing our people for political mileage,” the communiqué stated.

The organisation further called on traditional rulers and community leaders to set aside political affiliations and hold public officials accountable for failures in the area of security.

It also criticised the Federal Government for what it described as inadequate attention to security concerns in the Southwest, urging authorities to prioritise the protection of citizens across the region.

The group renewed calls for the establishment of state police, insisting that a decentralised policing structure has become necessary to effectively combat insecurity and protect communities.

Egbe Omo Yoruba said the increasing incidents of kidnapping, attacks on schools, killings and invasions of rural communities have weakened public confidence in political leadership and raised serious concerns about the safety of residents.

The association, while expressing solidarity with the families of the abducted children, called for swift action by all levels of government to ensure their safe return and prevent future occurrences.

“Children represent the future of any society or nation and the inability to protect them from any form of kidnapping represents a society on the brink of moral and political bankruptcy.”