The rescued victims
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has called on Nigerians to play a more active role in supporting security agencies, saying recent developments in Oyo State have once again demonstrated the importance of community vigilance in the fight against crime.
Reacting to the rescue of Mrs. Busayo John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons from a kidnappers’ hideout in Oyo State, Onanuga said citizens have a crucial responsibility to report suspicious activities within their communities.
His remarks followed comments by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, who led journalists to a residential building in Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, Oluyole Local Government Area, where the victims were allegedly held before their rescue.
According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations indicated that the property had been repeatedly used by kidnappers as a holding facility for abducted victims, despite being located within a populated residential area.
Olugbenga expressed concern that residents who observed unusual activities around the property failed to alert security authorities.
“They have been bringing the abductees here. They bring them here, and people see them. Some even greet them and say ‘welcome.’ When people see such things and don’t speak up, what do you expect us to do? If suspicious activities like this had been reported, none of this would have happened. We would have taken the necessary steps in good time,” the commissioner said.
Drawing attention to the commissioner’s remarks, Onanuga noted that security agencies alone cannot win the battle against kidnappers, bandits and terrorists without the cooperation of the public.
He stressed that law enforcement officers rely heavily on intelligence provided by citizens and urged Nigerians to remain alert to unusual movements and activities in their neighbourhoods.
“Security agents are not magicians—they need the support of citizens to fight all forms of crime. Whenever you notice anything unusual in your area, please make a discreet call to the security agencies,” Onanuga said.
The presidential spokesman’s intervention comes amid continued calls for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies as authorities intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
