Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Saturday visited families of pupils and teachers abducted in communities around Oriire Local Government Area, assuring them that his administration would leave no stone unturned in securing their safe release.
The emotional visit took place at Ahoro-Esiele community, where the governor met distraught parents, relatives, community leaders and residents at the premises of L.A. Basic School amid growing anxiety over the fate of the victims.
Addressing the crowd, Makinde said the state government shares in the pain of the affected families and remains fully committed to bringing the abducted children and teachers back home safely.
“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,” the governor declared.
Makinde disclosed that security agencies have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred, with rescue operations and strategies being reviewed continuously to ensure a successful outcome.
According to him, he has been holding daily meetings with security chiefs, sometimes late into the night, to coordinate efforts aimed at rescuing the victims.
“Please believe in me. I have not been sleeping well myself. Together with the service commanders, we meet twice every day, in the morning and at night, sometimes until 10 or 11 p.m.,” he said.
The governor explained that the abductors were dangerous and unpredictable, making it impossible for authorities to reveal sensitive operational details to the public.
“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 stated.
Makinde appealed to residents and Nigerians not to politicise the incident, stressing that all energies should be directed toward securing the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
“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.
Describing the incident as shocking and unprecedented, the governor noted that the abduction of nursery and primary school pupils was a rare occurrence in the country.
“There is nowhere in Nigeria where we have seen this sort of situation where nursery and primary school students are kidnapped. If it were secondary school students, we have heard that before, but to abduct nursery and primary school students is strange,” he lamented.
While acknowledging the outpouring of suggestions from concerned Nigerians, Makinde insisted that authorities must act with caution to avoid jeopardising rescue efforts.
“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.
The governor reassured the families that government would continue to explore every lawful option to secure the release of the victims.
“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.
Speaking during the visit, Prof. Wole Alamu, husband of the abducted school principal and Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, commended the governor for personally intervening in the matter and appealed for sustained efforts to secure the victims’ release.
Also speaking, Mrs. Funmilayo Ojo revealed that four of her grandchildren and her daughter-in-law were among those abducted, describing the incident as a heartbreaking ordeal for affected families.
Community leaders and residents expressed confidence that the combined efforts of government and security agencies would lead to the safe rescue of the victims and restore peace to the troubled communities.
