Majeobaje group advocates community Self-defence training after Oyo school abduction

The Majeobaje group has called on governments across the Southwest to urgently train and equip residents for lawful self-defence following the reported abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement signed by its leader, Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko, the group condemned the incident, describing it as “a crime against humanity” and “a declaration of war against our heritage.”

The organisation expressed sympathy with the affected families and communities, while also praying for the repose of those killed and the safe return of the abducted victims.

“We at Majeobaje roundly condemn the reported abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven of their teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State,” the statement read.

Describing the attack as a direct assault on the future of the Yoruba people, the group said: “Here in Southwest Nigeria, where we live for our children, we describe the crime as ‘Gbomo-gbomo’. It is a combination of an attack on our spirit, theft of highly prized assets and an attempt to destroy our future.”

The group stated that it had consistently warned since 2018 that insecurity and banditry in the North and Middle Belt could spread to the Southwest if proactive measures were not taken.

“Majeobaje has since 2018 been warning that the banditry in the North and Middle Belt by armed herdsmen was heading southward,” the statement added.

According to the group, letters had previously been sent to the Inspector-General of Police, governors, lawmakers and state assemblies across the Southwest, including Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states, urging authorities to organise security workshops and permit hunters and community leaders to legally possess shotguns for community protection.

The organisation, however, lamented what it described as inadequate action by relevant authorities.

“Words of condolence from members of government are an admission of failure,” the statement declared.

Majeobaje further warned that there was “clear evidence that terrorists have infiltrated the Southwest,” stressing the need for urgent community-based security initiatives.

The group urged elected officials to collaborate with the Police and Amotekun Corps to train residents on intelligence gathering, monitoring suspicious movements, reporting security threats and lawful self-defence.

“Communities must therefore be trained and equipped to lawfully defend themselves, so they are not frustrated into taking the law into their own hands,” it stated.

The organisation also advised political office holders to channel more resources towards grassroots security efforts rather than election-related activities.

“Rather than allocating millions to elections, they must use it to work with the Police and Amotekun to train and equip communities in their constituencies on lawful self-defence methods,” the group added.