Stakeholders in Oyo State have rejected attempts to attach ethnic identities to the recent abduction incidents in the state, urging Nigerians to unite and focus on collective efforts to tackle insecurity.
The stakeholders, including community leaders, security experts, and civil society groups, warned that ethnic profiling could deepen divisions and distract from the urgent need to strengthen security measures and protect citizens.
They stressed that criminal activities such as kidnapping should be treated as security challenges rather than issues linked to any particular ethnic group, noting that criminals do not represent the communities or backgrounds they come from.
The call for unity follows concerns raised after the abduction of school pupils and teachers in Oyo State, an incident that triggered nationwide attention and renewed discussions about the safety of schools and communities.
Stakeholders commended security agencies and local authorities for efforts aimed at rescuing victims and improving security around vulnerable areas, while calling for more intelligence gathering, community cooperation, and improved response systems.
They also urged residents to provide useful information to security agencies and avoid spreading messages capable of creating fear, suspicion, or conflict among communities.
According to observers, addressing Nigeria’s insecurity requires collaboration between government institutions, traditional leaders, communities, and citizens, rather than blame based on ethnicity or religion.
The stakeholders maintained that unity and collective action remain essential in defeating criminal networks and ensuring that schools, markets, and communities across the country remain safe.
