Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Sunday paid a sympathy visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at his private residence in Ibadan, following the abduction of teachers and pupils in Yawota and Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

Mohammed, who was accompanied by leaders of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), including the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, and its Bauchi governorship candidate, Dr Yakubu Adamu, commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the incident.

The Bauchi governor called for a comprehensive rejig of Nigeria’s security architecture, saying stronger coordination among security agencies and between security operatives and citizens was necessary to effectively tackle rising insecurity across the country.

While commending Makinde’s efforts toward securing the release of the abducted teachers and pupils, Mohammed expressed optimism that they would soon regain their freedom.

Speaking with journalists after the visit, he said the delegation came to share in the grief of Oyo State over what he described as a troubling and recurring security challenge affecting schoolchildren and communities.

“We are here to commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State and the people over the abduction of school children and their teachers. It is a lingering issue, and we are sharing in their pain,” he said.

He added that the visit was also to encourage Makinde, noting that his efforts toward securing the victims’ release had been widely acknowledged.

Mohammed also said the visit afforded him the opportunity to congratulate the Oyo governor on his emergence as the APM’s presidential candidate, describing him as a “young man of energy and determination capable of changing the trajectory of leadership in Nigeria.”

On the broader security situation in the country, the Bauchi governor said Nigeria’s security structure required urgent review to improve synergy among agencies and deepen trust between security operatives and citizens.

He attributed insecurity partly to governance challenges, poverty and socio-economic pressures, while urging citizens to take greater responsibility in safeguarding their communities.

“The security situation is a manifestation of governance challenges and poverty. Citizens must also take responsibility and avoid aiding criminal tendencies,” he said.

He further called on Nigerians to participate actively in choosing credible leaders, stressing that future elections must be used to drive meaningful change in governance.

According to him, “Leadership is key. People must ensure they elect those who understand where it pinches and are ready to make a difference.”

The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Musibau Babatunde; Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; and Senior Executive Assistant on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal, were among top officials who received the Bauchi governor and his delegation.