The husband of the abducted principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, Professor Wole Alamu, has urged Nigerians to exercise restraint in public commentary as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue pupils, teachers and administrators kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Alamu, who spoke during a telephone interview on Wednesday, warned that premature disclosures and unguarded statements could compromise ongoing operations aimed at securing the safe release of the victims.
“We are going to grant interviews, but not now. The work is seriously being done underneath. Anything you say now may jeopardise the rescue operations,” he said.
He, however, commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and security operatives for what he described as sustained and coordinated efforts to ensure the victims regain freedom.
The abduction, which has drawn widespread outrage, followed a deadly attack on schools in the Esiele community, where gunmen reportedly killed a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, and whisked away dozens of pupils and staff.
The affected institutions include Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A Primary School.
A viral video that surfaced last Friday showed the abducted principal, Mrs Folawe Alamu, making an emotional appeal to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and facilitate their release, noting that the victims had remained in captivity since the attack.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed that an assistant headmaster, identified as Mr Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist were also killed during the incident.
Meanwhile, security operations have been intensified across the affected communities and adjoining forest corridors, particularly around the Old Oyo National Park, suspected to be harbouring the abductors.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has reportedly arrived in the state to oversee a technology-driven rescue mission, including the deployment of the Intelligence Response Team.
Makinde also disclosed that newly acquired surveillance aircraft would be deployed to provide aerial intelligence over forest areas believed to be used as hideouts by the kidnappers.
Security sources further revealed that several suspects had been arrested for allegedly acting as informants and aiding the abductors with local intelligence and navigation routes.
While reiterating its commitment to rescuing the victims, the Oyo State Government maintained that it would not pay ransom but remained open to lawful engagement to secure their release.
Reacting, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killing of the teacher, describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President assured Nigerians that security agencies were working round the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.
Tinubu also reiterated the need for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to fast-track legislative action as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity across vulnerable communities nationwide.
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