Actress Opeyemi Aiyeola has appealed to celebrities, traditional rulers and other influential figures to speak up over rising insecurity in Oyo State and parts of Yorubaland.
In a video shared on her Instagram on Tuesday, Opeyemi urged public figures with large platforms and connections to lend their voices to growing concerns about attacks and kidnappings in the region.
She said:“This video is just to call the attention of well influential colleagues with the platform, the connection and the voice, to please lend a voice to the masses. I understand that election is around the corner, a lot of use are busy with election, but unfortunately, we cannot pretend like we do not see what is happening. It is also very sad and unfortunate that this is knocking on our doors. This is closer to home than expected. Oyo state is closer to home. Please lend your platform, lend your voices.
“Our kabiyesies, the Ooni of Ife, Olubadan, the Obas in Lagos State, Lege, Eniola Badmus, Laide Bakare, Desmond Elliot. I’m so sorry I have to call few names. This is closer to home than expected o. I’m not calling you all out negatively, I am just appealing to please let your heart speak. Use your pages, use your connections, use your links, use your voices. Funke, Toyin, … I don’t understand, sincerely.”
Her comments come amid outrage over the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where gunmen abducted pupils, students and teachers from three schools in Ahoro Esinele community.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 pupils and seven teachers were taken from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School during the attack.
One of the abducted teachers, identified as mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity after a video showing his beheading surfaced online, triggering widespread condemnation.
The Oyo State Government said security agencies, local hunters and vigilantes have continued rescue operations, while several suspects linked to the attack have been arrested.
The incident has renewed concerns about insecurity and school attacks in parts of Nigeria, especially following similar recent abductions involving schoolchildren in other states.
