The South-West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has implored the Federal Government and Oyo State Government to intensify efforts towards ensuring the immediate and safe release of the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The Guild made the call on Tuesday in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Bisi Oladele, and Publicity Secretary Remi Oladoye.
SWEGOP: Abducted Pupils, Teachers
Recall that the victims were abducted in what has been described as a well-coordinated attack on the affected schools by some yet-to-be identified kidnappers.
Eleven days after the incident, the hapless victims were to be rescued, thus creating fear and panic in Oyo State, in spite of assurances by the state government, of their safe return
The Guild members described the incident as heart-breaking and traumatising, noting that it has heightened fears over insecurity in Oyo State and the entire South-West region.
It stated that the abduction was not only an attack on the families of the victims and the communities, but also a direct assault on the peace and security of the entire South-West Region.
It noted that many residents were gradually losing confidence in the safety of their environment, a development that has negative psychological effects on residents.
The Guild decried continued detention of the kidnapped victims, stressing that it has further exposed the weakness of the Nigerian security architecture.
While commending the ongoing rescue operations by the brave security personnel, the online news publishers urged the government not to relent in its efforts to ensure safe return of the victims.
It called on the government at the state and federal level to urgently work with all relevant stakeholders that can play any important role in the rescue efforts.
The Guild further appealed to security agencies to sustain intelligence gathering and strengthen surveillance across vulnerable communities, in order to prevent future recurrence of the unfortunate incident.
