TOM Raises Concerns Over Worsening Insecurity In Nigeria

A Civil Society Organisation, The Osun Masterminds, has raised concerns over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, describing the recent kidnapping of 46 school children in neighbouring Oyo State as an indication of the collapse of security in the country.

During their May 2026 meeting, the Executive Director of the group, Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, speaking on deteriorating national security and political developments ahead of major elections, said the abduction of school children in Oyo State represented “a catastrophic failure of intelligence and territorial policing.”

“​The recent, heart-wrenching kidnapping of 46 school children in neighboring Oyo State represents a catastrophic failure of intelligence and territorial policing. Survival in Nigeria has indeed become an extreme sport, but when educational institutions become hunting grounds for bandits and terrorists, the future of the nation itself is being held for ransom.

“While banditry threatens food security and our immediate survival, the recent attack on a school heightens the possibility of complete extermination of certain groups and ethnicities. He said.

He warned that the recent incident poses a serious threat to the future of the country as educational institutions now become targets for criminals.

He, however, called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy maximum security to ensure the unconditional release of the abducted pupils and prevent a repeat of school abductions previously witnessed in the country.

He also urged governors in the South-West region, including the Government of Osun State, to strengthen regional collaboration, border security and intelligence sharing to curb cross-border criminal activities.

“​Our Demand to the Federal Government: The Federal Government must immediately deploy maximum security assets to secure the unconditional release of the 46 Oyo school children. We cannot afford a repeat of historical, prolonged school abductions.

​”A Call to Southwest Governors: We call on the governments of the Southwest states, particularly our own Osun State government, to actively collaborate, fortify border security, and strengthen intelligence sharing cooperation, to prevent these cross-border criminal incursions. We cannot afford allow our zone come under the siege of these daredevils.

Beyond insecurity, the group criticised the conduct of party primaries ahead of forthcoming elections, alleging widespread imposition of candidates, lack of transparency and suppression of the will of party members by political elites.

“​As the political atmosphere intensifies, we have keenly observed the internal selection processes across major political parties in Nigeria. What we have witnessed is a deeply disappointing departure from democratic ideals. The internal party primaries of most political parties have been characterized by a blatant lack of transparency, imposition of candidates, and the complete suppression of the popular will of party members.

​”Political parties are the foundational pillars of our democracy; they cannot offer the public a democratic governance model if they cannot practice democracy within their own structures. When internal party mechanisms are hijacked by godfathers and powerful cabals, it undermines the integrity of subsequent general elections and produces leadership that feels entirely unaccountable to the citizenry.
​Opposition and ruling politicians alike must understand that the democratic process is not a license to circumvent rules or stir institutional distrust.

The group also expressed concerns over rising political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, warning political actors against inflammatory rhetoric, cyberbullying and violence.

The group urged security agencies to remain non-partisan and act decisively against any attempt to disrupt the peace before, during and after the election.

“Security agencies in Osun State must remain entirely non-partisan, vigilant, and swift in clamping down on any individual or group attempting to incite electoral violence or breach the peace.