Oyo APC Blames Makinde For Insecurity, Demands Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Victims

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has expressed concern over what it described as a surge in kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes in the state, blaming Governor Seyi Makinde for worsening insecurity and what it called poor leadership and “political showmanship.”

In a statement issued on Friday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the opposition party said the security situation in Oyo State had become alarming compared to other states in the South-West.

It cited recent incidents, including the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in two communities in Oriire Local Government Area, as well as the kidnapping of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Idi Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government Area.

The APC accused Makinde of failing in his responsibility as Chief Security Officer of the state, alleging that key security stakeholders had been sidelined since the start of his administration.

“We have said on several occasions that window dressing and populism cannot help in building and sustaining a strong security architecture,” the party said.

It also faulted the administration’s early security decisions, claiming traditional rulers and other stakeholders were excluded from joint security efforts, while funds were allegedly mismanaged on security-related procurement.

“The current administration started on a bad note in 2019 with the disengagement of some critical stakeholders from joint security activities in the state,” the statement read.
“Up till this moment, traditional rulers and other relevant institutions are being sidelined, while priority was placed on the purchase of luxury vehicles at exorbitant costs for some security agencies,” it added.

The APC further alleged that about N8 billion was spent on surveillance aircraft, claiming there had been no visible impact since July 2025, even as insecurity persists.

“He paid almost N8 billion for the procurement of surveillance aircraft, but nothing has been seen since July 2025, while bandits and other criminal elements continue to torment residents of the state,” it said.

The opposition party also accused the government of empowering political thugs for partisan purposes, alleging that such actions had worsened insecurity.

“The same Makinde administration equipped Mukaila Auxiliary and his army of political thugs with lethal weapons for the purpose of witch-hunting opposition elements and residents,” it alleged.

On the state security architecture, the APC faulted the treatment of personnel of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, alleging poor welfare and inadequate support.

“Able-bodied men recruited into the Oyo State Amotekun Corps are among the worst treated by the government,” it said, citing poor salaries, lack of insurance and absence of retirement plans.

The party also criticised Makinde’s previous remarks on state police, accusing him of inconsistency after allegedly opposing the idea earlier.

“Governor Makinde was among those who frustrated the initiative when it was first proposed,” it added, quoting his past statement that state police was “a waste of our time.”

The APC urged the governor to take responsibility for security challenges in the state and ensure the immediate rescue of all abducted victims.

“Regrettably, Governor Makinde now wants to shift the blame to the Presidency. He should sit up and ensure the immediate rescue of all abductees,” the party said.