The Nigerian presidency has pushed back against Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of politicizing insecurity and deflecting responsibility for his state’s challenges.
In a statement posted Friday on X, Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, dismissed Makinde’s claims that the federal government was delaying the creation of state police and that Lagos State had boycotted the Amotekun Corps, a regional security outfit in the southwest.
“Gov. Seyi Makinde’s recent outburst accusing President Tinubu of ‘wasting time’ on state police and claiming Lagos boycotted Amotekun for political points is just a masterclass in deflection,” Olusegun wrote. “Fix Oyo first!!!”
Olusegun argued that Makinde had failed to adequately fund Amotekun, sending operatives “into forests with pump-action rifles to fight AK-47-wielding syndicates,” while Lagos had mobilized billions for its security apparatus. He added that state policing required “forensic labs, armories, pensions, and unassailable funding, not just loud rhetoric.”
The exchange comes against the backdrop of the May 15 kidnappings in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men abducted 46 people; 39 pupils and seven teachers during coordinated attacks on three schools. Victims included children as young as two years old. One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed in captivity.
Authorities have mobilized the Nigerian Army, police, DSS, and Amotekun Corps in round-the-clock operations, but many victims remain missing. Families remain under immense pressure, with kidnappers reportedly demanding ransom. The Nigeria Union of Teachers has declared an indefinite strike in Oriire, citing trauma and safety concerns.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage. Nollywood actor Kunle Remi questioned the government’s ability to protect lives, describing the killing of Oyedokun and the abduction of children as “painful and unacceptable.” Former Big Brother Naija star Bambam shared a tearful video, asking, “Is it until it happens to our own children before we realize how serious this insecurity issue is? We deserve better. Better security. Better healthcare. Better leadership.” Comedian Kie Kie demanded leaders prioritize children’s safety over political games, while singer Teo Oma said, “Schools should be sanctuaries, not hunting grounds for kidnappers.”
Social media users echoed these sentiments. “A statement does not bring children home,” one wrote. Another posted, “Makinde is right. Abuja is dragging its feet while our children are missing.” A counterpoint read, “Oyo can’t even fund Amotekun properly. Fix your house before blaming Tinubu.”
Policy makers and opinion leaders have also weighed in. Security analyst Kabiru Adamu said the dispute highlights Nigeria’s urgent need for constitutional clarity on state policing. Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili urged the federal government to prioritize school safety, warning that “every day of delay puts more children at risk.” Civil society groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have called for transparency in rescue operations and accountability for both state and federal authorities.
The presidency insists Tinubu remains committed to fighting insecurity nationwide, but critics argue that families in Oyo are still waiting for concrete action one week after the abductions.
