‘Could There Be a Hidden Finger Behind Ogbomosho Abduction?’ — Reno Omokri Urges Nigerians to Think Critically

Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting

Former presidential aide and author Reno Omokri has warned that a “hidden finger” may be behind the recent mass abduction in Ogbomosho, urging Nigerians not to react emotionally as they did during the Chibok crisis.

In a lengthy Facebook post published today, Omokri drew striking parallels between the kidnapping of schoolchildren on Friday, 15 May 2026, and the infamous Chibok abduction of 2014 – noting that both events occurred at a time of bitterly contested presidential elections.

“Such actions are condemnable, and I condemn them. However, they are not just acts of criminality,” Omokri wrote.

“The actual intent behind these recurring actions may be deeper than we think. So let us be sentient beings and think, rather than just emote in a knee‑jerk reaction.”

‘The Odds That This Is a Coincidence Are Slim’

Omokri, who serves as Ambassador Designate to Mexico, reminded readers that the Chibok abduction of 276 girls on 14 April 2014 became “the single biggest factor in determining the outcome of the Nigerian presidential election on Saturday, 28 March 2015”.

He calculated: “Between 14 April 2014 and 28 March 2015, which was election day, you had exactly 348 days for the abduction to outrage Nigerians and turn them, not against the terrorists who committed that heinous act, but against the then sitting President.”

He then posed a striking mathematical question: “Mathematically, what are the odds of two southern Presidents facing almost exact scenarios occurring at a period almost equidistant to their elections? The chances that this is a coincidence are slim.”

‘Stop Bickering and Face the Issues at Stake’

Without naming individuals, Omokri recalled comments made by the late Obadiah Mailafia, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who alleged in August 2020 that repentant bandits had told him a then‑sitting governor was their “Commander‑in‑Chief”.

“And truly, soon after he made that statement, a sitting governor admitted in a Channels Television interview that he traced bandits to the locations of their powwows and paid them. Paid them for what?” Omokri asked.

He added: “And then, last year, that same individual, as disgruntled as he was under President Jonathan, vowed to ensure that President Tinubu would not be re‑elected in 2027! Please fact‑check me: That same individual made the exact threat in 2014 against then‑President Jonathan.

“If a person can threaten the lives of foreign election observers, what can’t they do?”

Defence of Tinubu on State Police

Omokri strongly pushed back against criticism from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who had reportedly accused President Bola Tinubu of being against state policing.

“First of all, Amotekun (officially the Western Nigeria Security Network) was established on Thursday, 9 January 2020. That is more than three years before President Tinubu became President,” Omokri said.

“So, how could President Tinubu have been against state police when he had no power to order or prevent its implementation?”

He noted that the driving force behind Amotekun was not Governor Makinde but the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu – “a Tinubu ally, who only became governor with Asiwaju Tinubu’s backing”.

Omokri added: “It is ridiculous to accuse a man who, as governor, set up virtually a state police in Lagos in the form of LASTMA, which has over 4,000 personnel, of being against state police. For goodness’ sake, President Tinubu wrote the playbook on state policing in Nigeria!”

He confirmed that President Tinubu launched a state police initiative, and on Thursday, 5 March 2026, the administration inaugurated a committee to develop a framework for its establishment.

‘We May Be Being Set Up’

Omokri appealed for calm and critical thinking, warning that emotional reactions could play into the hands of unknown manipulators.

“Again, it is unfortunate that this abduction occurred, and His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, is doing everything within his powers to rescue the remaining pupils and their teachers,” he said.

“But let us not allow ourselves to become so worked up that we do not realise that we may be being set up.”

He concluded by urging Nigerians to focus on rescue efforts and prevention, while acknowledging the practical limits of security forces.

“There are approximately 300,000 schools in Nigeria. It is literally impossible for the Nigerian Army and Police to guard each institution round the clock. We simply do not have the personnel for that,” he noted.

“And the President knew that. He was proactive. He withdrew police officers from VIP protective duties – that is why Desmond Elliott’s police detail was withdrawn, not because of any witch‑hunt – and ordered them to focus on protecting ordinary Nigerians.”

Stonix News understands that the Ogbomosho abduction, which occurred on Friday, 15 May 2026, involved the seizure of pupils and teachers. Rescue operations are reportedly ongoing.