Makinde Assures Families of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers of Safe Return
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has assured families of pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in communities around Oriire Local Government Area that his administration will do everything legally possible to secure their safe release.
The governor gave the assurance on Saturday during a visit to Ahoro-Esiele community, where he met with affected families, community leaders, and residents at the premises of L.A. Basic School.
Addressing the gathering, Makinde said the government understands the pain and anxiety being experienced by families of the victims and remains fully committed to bringing them home safely.
“I understand the pain and anxiety that many of you are going through at this moment. As your government, we share your concerns and are fully committed to securing the safe return of our children and their teachers,” he said.
The governor disclosed that security agencies and law enforcement authorities have been working tirelessly since the abduction occurred, with regular reviews of rescue strategies aimed at ensuring the victims are released unharmed.
According to him, he has been holding daily meetings with security chiefs, sometimes lasting late into the night, to coordinate efforts and monitor developments.
“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.,” Makinde stated.
He explained that the abductors are dangerous and unpredictable, making it impossible to reveal certain operational details to the public.
While some people may feel not enough is being done, the governor stressed that security agencies are handling the situation carefully to avoid putting the lives of the victims at greater risk.
“The people we are dealing with are dangerous and unpredictable. Because this is an ongoing security operation, there are 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.
Makinde also appealed to residents and Nigerians not to politicise the incident or engage in blame games involving different levels of government. He said the focus should remain on rescuing the abducted children 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 added.
The governor described the incident as unusual, noting that the abduction of nursery and primary school pupils is rare in Nigeria.
“There is nowhere in Nigeria where we have seen this kind of situation involving nursery and primary school pupils. We have heard of secondary school students being kidnapped before, but this is different and deeply disturbing,” he said.
Makinde acknowledged receiving numerous suggestions on how the crisis should be handled but insisted that every action must be guided by caution and responsibility.
“I understand that many people have different opinions about what should be done. We appreciate the concern, but we must act carefully and responsibly to avoid putting innocent lives at greater risk,” he said.
He reassured residents that the government would continue exploring every available option to secure the victims’ release and urged the public to remain calm and support ongoing security efforts.
“By the grace of God, we will bring our children and their teachers home safely. Please remain calm, support the efforts of the authorities, and keep the victims and their families in your prayers,” Makinde said.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Professor Wole Alamu, husband of the abducted school principal and Dean of Renewable Natural Resources at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Iseyin Campus, commended the governor’s intervention and appealed for sustained efforts toward securing the release of the victims.
Another resident, Mrs. Funmilayo Ojo, disclosed that four of her grandchildren and her daughter-in-law were among those abducted, describing the incident as heartbreaking.
Community leaders and residents expressed optimism that the government and security agencies would succeed in rescuing the victims and restoring peace to the area.
