Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday urged families of abducted schoolchildren and residents of the state to refrain from protests over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers kidnapped in Orire Local Government Area, calling instead for intensified prayers for their safe return.
Makinde spoke during a church service at the Christ Apostolic Church, Ibadan, against the backdrop of rising public anger over the fate of the victims abducted on May 15 in Esiele and Yawota communities.
Armed men had reportedly invaded three schools in the affected communities, killing two persons and abducting several pupils and teachers. One of the kidnapped teachers was later allegedly beheaded in captivity, a development that sparked nationwide outrage after a viral video emerged.
Addressing the congregation, the governor said protests would be counterproductive, arguing that such actions could embolden the attackers.
“Terrorists are within our doorstep. I encourage the family members of the children they abducted. This is not the time for protest. Terrorists and bandits are not normal people. If we are protesting, we are fuelling their ego,” Makinde said.
Citing a biblical reference, he added: “The heart of a king is in the hands of God. The hearts of bandits are in the hands of God. So, let us pray that God will touch their hearts. We are doing everything possible to secure the release of the children.”
The abduction has continued to generate emotional reactions across the country, particularly after a viral video showed the principal of Community High School, Esinele, Rachael Alamu, pleading for government intervention and urging authorities to meet the demands of the kidnappers to secure their release.
In a follow-up clip reportedly released by the abductors, the victim was seen again appealing for restraint in any rescue attempts, warning that previous efforts had allegedly led to reprisals by the gunmen.
The incident has triggered growing public frustration, with some Nigerians calling for mass protests over the handling of insecurity in the country.
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, threatened on social media that citizens would occupy the Presidential Villa if the abducted schoolchildren were not rescued promptly.
“If Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his service chiefs fail to track down and secure the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and other kidnapped persons, we will have no choice but to occupy Aso Rock Villa this week,” Sowore wrote.
The development adds to mounting pressure on the Federal Government led by Bola Tinubu as insecurity continues to dominate national discourse, particularly around school abductions in northern and southwestern Nigeria.
Security agencies have yet to issue an updated official statement on rescue efforts for the abducted pupils and teachers.
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