The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has applauded the rescue of kidnapped children and teachers in Oyo, describing their release as a big milestone in the war against abduction in Nigeria.
Channels TV says that the Olubadan made the statement yesterday while leading the traditional rulers of Oyo State on a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to express appreciation for the rescue of the abducted persons.
Oyo people were afraid that the abduction would lead to “another Chibok” but commended the Federal Government security officers on the return of the affected persons without any payment of ransom, he said.
“And I just feel like it’s important for us to come and thank you. “We were worried when we had the kidnapping problem, the first major challenge in Oyo State. We were saying, ‘What is the federal government doing? ‘What is the Oyo State Government doing.
“But we have now found that between you and your security people, which I must thank them through you, you have made a turning point in the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria. “You have made a turning point in the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria.
“The fact you didn’t pay the ransom. That you stood your ground shows that we now have a government that knows what it is doing. So, Mr President, we cannot thank you enough for that achievement. It was a great feat because the people of Oyo State wondered, ‘are we going to be another Chibok? Is this going to be a recurring problem?
The administration has given a strong message, knowing that the government is not ready to bargain with kidnappers, he said.
The ex-governor urged the federal government not to evacuate security officers in the Oyo Forest reserves where the abductees were detained. Instead, he wants to see greater security in the region.
The kids and teachers were kidnapped from their schools and spent 56 days in captivity before being freed by their captors, with some killed in captivity.
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