The Oyo State Government has raised concerns over a series of abduction incidents involving indigenes of the state, questioning whether the recent attacks could form part of a coordinated effort to destabilise the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, raised the concern while reacting to the reported abduction of 18 Oyo State students travelling home from Sokoto State.
The students, reportedly from Gamji College of Health Technology in Sokoto, were travelling in a chartered vehicle when suspected bandits allegedly attacked the group. The driver was reportedly killed and the students abducted.
Government identifies latest incident as third in four months
Oyelade said the latest incident was the third unusual kidnapping case involving Oyo residents within four months.
The state government has expressed concern over the growing number of incidents involving its citizens outside Oyo State and said authorities were monitoring developments.
The reported abduction comes only days after prospective NYSC members from Oyo were abducted in Imo State, further heightening concern over the safety of residents travelling outside the state.
Security agencies under pressure
The latest incident adds to broader concerns about insecurity along inter-state routes, particularly those connecting parts of the North and South.
Details about the whereabouts of the abducted students and efforts to secure their release remain subject to ongoing security operations.
The Oyo government has urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect residents and investigate whether the recent incidents are connected.