The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has urged the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to strengthen security in communities bordering the Old Oyo National Park to prevent a recurrence of the recent mass abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, made the call while reacting to the rescue of the abducted victims, who had spent 56 days in captivity after they were kidnapped by terrorists.

The monarch, in a statement signed by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, described the rescue operation as a major achievement and commended the efforts of the government and security agencies in securing the victims’ freedom.

He, however, stressed that the rescue should mark the beginning of more proactive security measures, particularly in communities sharing boundaries with the Old Oyo National Park, which has long been identified as a security flashpoint in the state.

The Guardian earlier reported that the victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when terrorists invaded three schools in Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers.

The victims were later discovered to have been held within the Old Oyo National Park before they were rescued on Friday.

Ladoja said governments at both the federal and state levels must move swiftly to secure the vulnerable border communities around the park to prevent criminal elements from using the forest as a hideout for kidnappings and other violent crimes.

“The release of the victims is a landmark achievement of the present administration in the country. The issue of security in the country is being taken seriously by the administration,” he said.

He added: “As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all the communities that share borders with the National Park are fully secured. Also, the government must ensure proper rehabilitation of the victims.”

The Olubadan maintained that beyond celebrating the successful rescue, authorities must focus on preventing future attacks by strengthening security presence around the national park and providing adequate support for the rescued victims as they recover from their ordeal.