Kehinde Bankole calls for “Decisive Action” as kidnapping crisis deepens across Nigeria

Nollywood actress Kehinde Bankole has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent and forceful action against the escalating wave of kidnappings across Nigeria, saying the country can no longer rely on “condolence speeches” while lives are being lost.

In a strongly worded statement shared on social media on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Bankole urged the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security institutions to deploy what she described as the “full wrath and force” of the state to confront armed groups responsible for abductions nationwide.

“It is no longer about why it is happening; it is now simply about lives! Lives are being lost!” she wrote. “The people need only results, no more condolence speeches.”

The actress challenged narratives suggesting that the rising insecurity may be politically motivated or part of a coordinated smear campaign against the government. She argued that even such claims, if true, should trigger stronger security responses rather than delay action.

“Even if the kidnappings are a smear campaign on the government, it should be all the more reason for the Office of the National Security Advisor, along with the Presidency, to tackle insecurity with full wrath and force,” she said.

Her remarks reflect growing frustration among citizens over repeated abductions, particularly in schools and rural communities.

Bankole’s comments come amid a series of violent incidents that have heightened national concern over security.

In one of the most recent cases, armed attackers stormed schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area on Friday, May 15, 2026, abducting students, a principal, and several teachers. The incident has intensified fears over the safety of educational institutions in the region.

The crisis escalated further after reports emerged that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed in captivity, sparking public outrage and renewed calls for urgent intervention.

Security operations in the area have also faced setbacks, with rescue teams reportedly encountering explosive devices planted in forest zones used by the attackers.

Following the attacks, traditional rulers from affected communities in Ogbomosoland have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for the establishment of a permanent military presence near the affected forest reserves to prevent further incidents.

Meanwhile, Oyo State authorities say several suspects and alleged informants have been arrested in connection with the kidnappings, though many residents continue to demand broader federal action.

Bankole joins a growing list of Nigerian public figures speaking out against insecurity. Actress Opeyemi Aiyeola recently shared similar concerns, warning that violence is increasingly spreading closer to urban communities in the Southwest.

As pressure mounts from citizens, entertainers, and community leaders, calls for a more aggressive national security response continue to intensify.