The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a decisive shift in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping, saying the administration’s firm stance against ransom payments has restored public confidence in the country’s security architecture.
Ladoja made the remarks on Thursday during a thank you visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he led a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State to appreciate the Federal Government’s intervention following the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The thank you meeting focused on the security situation in Oyo State and measures to prevent a resurgence of kidnapping in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the Council of Oyo Obas, Ladoja said the successful response to the Oriire kidnapping crisis had reassured residents that the Federal Government was committed to ending the menace.
“We wish you well, Mr President. We feel it is important to come and say thank you,” Ladoja said.
“When we had the problem of the kidnapping, this was the first major one in Oyo State, we were apprehensive. We asked what the Federal Government and Oyo State Government were doing.
“But we have now seen that, working with your security forces, you have made a turning point on the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria. Your decision not to pay ransom and to stand firm shows that we have a government that knows what it is doing.”
The monarch described the rescue efforts as a major achievement, noting that many residents had feared the incident could become another prolonged national tragedy similar to the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.
“We cannot thank you enough for the feat. It was a big feat because the people of Oyo State almost thought the situation was going to be another Chibok and become a perennial issue,” he added.
Ladoja, however, urged the President to sustain military and security operations in forested areas used as hideouts by criminal elements.
He stressed that the forests stretching from Oyo State into Niger State should remain under continuous surveillance to prevent kidnappers from regrouping.
“Please do not abandon the forest. You have been able to send the kidnappers away. Let us have the presence of security agencies there. It is a forest that extends to Niger State and is meant to be a reserve. If we are able to secure the place, it means that Oyo State is secured,” he said.
The delegation included several prominent traditional rulers from Oyo State, alongside senior government officials who attended the meeting at the Presidential Villa.
