‘Enough of Condolences’ — NLC Demands Tough Response to Ogbomoso Abduction

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the federal government to take urgent and decisive action following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Gunmen had attacked communities within the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso on Friday, abducting several pupils and seven teachers from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

The attack also claimed the lives of an assistant headmaster, Joel Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist. Public outrage intensified after a video circulated online on Monday showing one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, reportedly killed in captivity by the abductors.

Reacting to the incident in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero described the attack as a disturbing reflection of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

“The tragedy of Ahoro Esiele and Yawota demonstrates that no community is safe anymore, while innocent children are increasingly becoming targets of violent criminal groups,” Ajaero said. 

He stressed that Nigerians were tired of repeated condolences and assurances, insisting that citizens now expect concrete action, effective rescue operations, and stronger security measures.

Ajaero warned that attacks on schools and rural communities must not become “routine tragedies,” noting that persistent insecurity threatens national stability and public confidence in government institutions.

The labour leader, however, commended security agencies and local vigilantes for their immediate response after the attack, although reports indicated that rescue efforts were hindered by improvised explosive devices allegedly planted by the abductors.

According to him, the kidnappers also reportedly used abducted pupils and teachers as human shields, further complicating rescue operations.

Ajaero expressed concern that continued insecurity could push desperate communities into relying on criminal groups for protection, describing such a development as dangerous for democracy and national unity.

He called for urgent national conversations on insecurity and urged governments at all levels to adopt stronger and more effective strategies against terrorism, banditry, and organised crime across the country.