Ibadan – Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Sunday paid a sympathy visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at his private residence in Ibadan over the abduction of teachers and pupils at Yawota and Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
Governor Mohammed, accompanied by leaders of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), including National Chairman Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle and the party’s Bauchi State governorship candidate Dr Yakubu Adamu, called for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security architecture to better protect citizens.
While commending Governor Makinde’s efforts towards securing the safe release of the abductees, the Bauchi governor expressed confidence that the kidnapped teachers and pupils would soon regain their freedom.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Governor Mohammed said he came to commiserate with Governor Makinde, who is also the APM presidential candidate, over the unfortunate incident.
“It has been a lingering issue for some time, and we are really sharing with him the grief. We are here to encourage him that what he is doing to ensure their release is being noticed by the whole nation,” he stated.
Governor Mohammed pledged the support of the Bauchi State Government and its people, assuring Governor Makinde of his readiness to assist in any way possible to secure the early release of the victims.
He also used the occasion to congratulate Governor Makinde on his emergence as the APM presidential candidate, describing him as “a young man with energy, determination and drive, that can do a lot to change the trajectory of leadership and good governance in Nigeria.”
On the broader security challenges facing the country, Governor Mohammed noted that the nation’s security architecture needs urgent review to foster better synergy among security agencies and between them and the citizenry.
He identified poor governance, poverty, and socio-economic challenges as key drivers of insecurity, urging citizens to take their destinies into their hands by rejecting criminality, refusing to serve as informants, and electing competent leaders at all levels.
The visit was received by Governor Makinde alongside top Oyo State officials, including Secretary to the State Government Prof Musibau Babatunde, Commissioner for Public Works and Transport Hon Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, and Senior Executive Assistant on General Duties Chief Bayo Lawal, among others.
