Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday met with families of pupils and teachers abducted in communities around Oriire Local Government Area, assuring them that the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government are working together to secure the safe release of the victims.
Makinde gave the assurance during a visit to Ahoro-Esiele community, where he met affected families, community leaders and residents at the open field of L.A. Basic School.
Addressing the gathering, the governor said the rescue of the abducted children, teachers and school officials remained the priority of all levels of government, warning against attempts to politicise the incident or trade blame.
“This is not the time to trade blame between the state government, the federal government, local governments or any other institution. This is a time for unity. Let us come together with one purpose: to rescue our children and their teachers safely,” he said.
Makinde said security agencies and law enforcement commanders had been working round the clock since the abduction, adding that rescue strategies were being reviewed constantly to achieve the best possible outcome.
According to him, he and security chiefs have been holding regular meetings, sometimes late into the night, to coordinate the rescue efforts.
“Please believe in me. I have not been sleeping well myself. Together with the service commanders, we meet twice every day, one in the morning and one at night, sometimes until 10 or 11 p.m.,” he said.
The governor said his administration understood the pain and anxiety of the affected families and would continue to do everything possible within the law to secure the victims’ release.
“I understand the pain and anxiety that many of you are experiencing at this moment. As your government, we share your concerns, and we are fully committed to securing the safe return of our children and their teachers,” he stated.
Makinde, however, explained that the abductors were dangerous and unpredictable, making it impossible to disclose certain operational details without jeopardising the rescue mission.
“The people we are dealing with are dangerous and unpredictable. Because this is an ongoing security operation, there are certain details I cannot disclose. However, I want to assure you that every available resource is being deployed to secure the release of the victims,” he said.
He stressed that while some people may feel authorities are not doing enough, security agencies are handling the matter carefully to avoid putting innocent lives at greater risk.
The governor described the incident as unusual, noting that the abduction of nursery and primary school pupils was strange and deeply troubling.
“There is nowhere in Nigeria where we have seen this sort of situation where nursery primary school pupils are kidnapped. If it were secondary school students, we have heard that before, but to abduct nursery primary school pupils is strange,” he said.
Makinde acknowledged the various suggestions received on how to handle the crisis, but insisted that caution must guide every step taken by the authorities.
“I understand that many people have different opinions about what should be done. Many have offered advice and suggestions, and we appreciate the concern. However, we must act responsibly and carefully to avoid putting innocent lives at greater risk,” he added.
He assured the families that the government would continue to explore every available option to secure the victims’ freedom.
“By the grace of God, we will bring our children and their teachers home safely. Please remain calm, continue to support the efforts of the authorities, and keep the victims and their families in your prayers,” he said.
Several relatives of the abducted victims appealed to the governor not to relent in the rescue efforts.
Prof. Wole Alamu, husband of the abducted school principal and Dean of Renewable Natural Resources at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus, broke down in tears while appealing to Makinde to intensify efforts to secure the release of his wife and other victims.
His wife, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, also identified as Alamu Folawe, is the principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele.
“My wife is the one being used to make the videos that are being circulated. It is very disheartening and depressing,” he said in Yoruba.
He commended the governor’s intervention but urged him not to relent until all abducted persons are safely brought home.
Another resident, Mrs. Funmilayo Ojo, disclosed that four of her grandchildren and her son’s wife were among those abducted, while other community members described the incident as the first of its kind in the area.
Speaking on behalf of residents, community leaders expressed confidence that the combined efforts of the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security agencies would lead to the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers and the restoration of peace to the community.
The visit came amid renewed public concern following a fresh video reportedly released by the abducted principal, in which she appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Makinde to consider dialogue as a means of securing their freedom.
The victims were abducted by gunmen in the Ogbomoso axis of Oyo State, sparking outrage and calls for stronger security intervention.
Authorities have yet to disclose full details of ongoing rescue operations, but security agencies are said to be working to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe return of the victims.
