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Presidency Defends Response to Adelabu Relatives’ Rescue and Ogbomoso Abduction
The Presidency has dismissed comparisons between the recent rescue of relatives of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, saying the two incidents involve different security dynamics and require different operational approaches.
Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, made the clarification on Sunday amid criticism from some Nigerians who questioned the speed with which Adelabu’s relatives were rescued compared to the continued captivity of the Ogbomoso victims.
In a post on his Facebook page, Ajayi argued that the two cases were fundamentally different and should not be viewed through the same lens.
“Those who are comparing Adelabu’s sister and her twins’ situation to the Ogbomoso kids and their teachers are totally wrong,” he wrote.
According to Ajayi, the kidnapping of Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons was carried out by an urban criminal gang motivated by financial gain, while the Ogbomoso abduction involved armed terrorists operating from remote forest locations.
“It is wrong to compare the urban gang of kidnappers who engage in copycat crime to make money and hide victims inside a flat within the community to a band of terrorists operating deep inside the bush. The two sets of criminals have different motivations and agendas,” he stated.
The presidential aide also rejected allegations that security agencies were prioritising certain victims because of their social status or political connections.
“The Ogbomoso children and their teachers will be rescued, and government/security agencies are not selective as falsely claimed. The approach to the two incidents can’t be the same,” he said.
Ajayi urged Nigerians to celebrate the successful rescue of Adelabu’s relatives while continuing to support efforts aimed at securing the release of other victims still being held by abductors.
“We should be happy that the woman and his twins are safely home while we pray for quicker rescue of those still in the bush with their abductors,” he added.
The comments followed public debate on social media after the Nigeria Police Force announced the rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, a relative of Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted on June 3.
Police authorities said the victims were rescued unharmed during a coordinated operation involving intelligence and tactical units. Several suspects were also arrested in connection with the crime.
See Video of the operation
The successful operation generated mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning why security agencies appeared able to secure the swift release of Adelabu’s relatives while schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso remain in captivity.
The Ogbomoso victims were reportedly taken away after armed men attacked a school. Security agencies have since launched search-and-rescue operations, but the victims have yet to be freed.
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it would not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this declaration at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League for Imams, Alfas, political office holders and traditional rulers.
The event, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar, Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat and Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) Sheikh Hashim Atere and Professor Kamil Olosho.
Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, Professor Amidu Sanni, Professor Adam Surajudeen and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other notable Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslims from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo states.
Abdullahi El-Ilory while speaking on behalf of the League, explained that the group cannot declare support or announce any politician or political party as its choice for the forthcoming general elections.
He explained that the only thing the League can do and is still doing is to pray to God to give Nigerians credible leaders that will make life more meaningful for the citizens.
Abdullahi El-Ilory said, "We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.
"We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders."
Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.
He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.
Kewulere, in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.
He said, "We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles."
Ishola, on his part, explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the general elections.
2027: We won’t endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas
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