The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has hailed the rescue of abducted students and teachers from Oyo, saying their release was a major turning point in addressing kidnapping in Nigeria.

The Olubadan said this on Thursday when he led traditional rulers from Oyo State on a thank-you visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, over the rescue of the abductees.

He said Oyo people feared that the abduction could become “another Chibok” but hailed the Federal Government security operatives over the return of the affected persons without the payment of ransom.

“I just feel that it is important for us to come and say thank you to you. When we had the problem of the kidnapping, which was the first major one in Oyo State, we were apprehensive. We were saying, ‘What is the Federal Government doing? What is the Oyo State government doing?’ But we have now found that between you and your security people, which I must thank them through you, you have made a turning point in the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria,” Ladoja, the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, told the president.

“The fact that you did not pay ransom. The fact that you stood your ground shows that we now have a government that knows what it is doing. So, Mr President, we cannot thank you enough for that feat. It was a big feat because the people of Oyo State said, ‘Are we going to become another Chibok? Is it going to be a perennial issue?'”

He said, with the knowledge that the government is not ready to negotiate with kidnappers, the administration has sent a strong message.

The former governor asked the Federal Government not to withdraw security operatives from the Oyo Forest reserves where the abductees were held. Instead, he wants more security to be beefed up in the area.

The students and teachers were abducted from their schools and spent 56 days in captivity before they were released by their captors. (Channels TV)

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