Two weeks after the school abduction incident in Oriire Local Government, Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, visited the affected community and met with the families of the victims.
Addressing affected families, community leaders and residents who gathered at one of the attacked schools, L.A Basic School, Mr Makinde said his administration is determined to ensure the safe return of all abducted pupils and teachers through lawful and coordinated efforts.
“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,” Mr Makinde said.
“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.
The governor said his administration and security agencies have been working tirelessly, reviewing rescue strategies daily, sometimes late into the night, to achieve the desired results.
“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.
Mr Makinde disclosed that all available resources have been deployed to ensure the rescue of the victims, while describing the abductors as “dangerous and unpredictable” individuals.
“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.
“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 pupils is strange,” he added.
He urged members of the public to refrain from apportioning blame between the federal government and other tiers of government, but to instead prioritise unity and the safe and prompt rescue of the victims held hostage.
Mr Makinde stated, “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.”
“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 stated.
On Friday, May 15, suspected gunmen invaded two communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killed two individuals and abducted several pupils and teachers.
On Sunday, May 17, Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers at Community High School, Ahoro Esinele, was shot and beheaded by the suspects, as seen in a viral video.
Last Friday, two abducted staff, a teacher and the principal of Community High School, Esinele, Folawe Alamu, called on Mr Makinde to urgently intervene and save the lives of all the abducted pupils and teachers.
