Oba Ayobami Ogunmakinde, the Elerepamo of Pamo in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has endorsed the concerns raised by the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere regarding relentless attacks and abductions targeting farmers in the South-West.
Speaking to PUNCH ONLINE in Ibadan, the monarch urged authorities to take proactive measures to stem the violence, particularly within vulnerable rural communities across Oyo State.
The traditional ruler’s endorsement comes in the wake of a statement issued in Ibadan by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, highlighting widespread farmland raids and kidnappings across Yorubaland and other parts of the country.
Afenifere noted that during recent fact-finding visits to northern Oyo, Ondo, and the Oke-Ogun area, agriculturalists reported abandoning their fields for three primary reasons: pervasive fear of abduction, exploitation by middlemen who depress crop prices, and unchecked farmland destruction by rogue herders despite repeated outcry.
The monarch backed Afenifere’s assessment and stressed that security anxieties have escalated sharply following the high-profile abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in the region. He revealed that local security personnel are attempting to manage the threat, but insisted that far greater federal support is required.
“As far as security is concerned, I would align with the organisation. The fear is too much. Our farmers cannot go to their farms again,” the monarch stated, reiterating his appeal to the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to upgrade Pamo’s sole police post into a full Divisional Police Headquarters. He added that stationing two military bases alongside an additional divisional police office in Ogbomoso would significantly curb banditry and abductions in the council area.
The security concerns highlight a painful recent chapter for the local community, where over 40 pupils and educators were seized on 15 May 2025 during simultaneous raids on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, as well as Community Grammar School and L.A. Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esienle. The victims endured 56 days in captivity before securing their freedom on 10 July 2026.