Makinde Says Oyo Ready to Engage Abductors to Secure Release of Kidnapped Pupils and Teachers
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the state government is willing to listen to the demands of the abductors behind the recent kidnapping of pupils, students, and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, as part of efforts to secure their safe return.
Makinde made the statement on Monday while speaking to journalists at his private residence in Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan, following the attack on schools in Ahoro Esinele Community.
The governor, however, stressed that while the government is open to negotiation where necessary, it would not “surrender to terrorism,” adding that security agencies are already intensifying rescue operations.
“We have now conclusively confirmed that at the Community Secondary School, seven students were abducted, while at the First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted alongside seven teachers. Unfortunately, as I reported yesterday, one of them was killed,” he said.
Describing the situation as “fluid and difficult,” Makinde said security operatives were still actively working on the ground to rescue the victims.
“The operation is still ongoing. It remains a very fluid and difficult situation for our troops on the ground,” he added.
The governor also urged the media to report the incident responsibly, noting that the matter involved human lives and not just headlines.
“I will therefore appeal for responsible reporting because this is not about sensationalism; it involves human lives,” he said.
Makinde disclosed that the state has set up an operational situation room at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate rescue efforts and ensure accurate information is shared with the public.
“We have set up an operational centre at the police headquarters here. The Commissioner of Police will coordinate the situation room and provide the required information,” he said.
On security improvements, the governor confirmed that surveillance aircraft procured by the state had arrived in Nigeria and were currently being assembled at a Nigerian Air Force facility in Lagos.
According to him, the equipment, being installed by engineers from China, is expected to become operational before the end of June.
“We were proactive because we wanted to cover the borderline between Oyo and Kwara states, as well as the international border between our state and the Republic of Benin,” he explained.
Makinde appealed directly to the abductors to release the victims unharmed, saying the state is open to reasonable dialogue to save lives.
“Whatever their demands may be, we are ready to listen and address the ones we can as a state government. These are not foreigners; they are our people. The children and their teachers must be released without delay,” he said.
