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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Saturday assured families of pupils and teachers abducted in communities around Oriire Local Government Area that his administration would deploy every lawful means to secure their safe release.
The governor gave the assurance during a visit to Ahoro-Esiele community, where he met with affected families, community leaders and residents at the open field of L.A. Basic School amid growing concern over the abduction.
Addressing the gathering, Makinde said the state government shared the pain and anxiety of the victims’ families and remained fully committed to ensuring the safe return of the abductees.
“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 said.
The governor disclosed that security agencies and law enforcement authorities had been working round the clock since the incident occurred, with rescue strategies being reviewed continuously to achieve the best possible outcome.
According to him, he has been holding regular 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.
Makinde noted that the abductors were dangerous and unpredictable, making it impossible to disclose certain 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.
The governor urged residents and Nigerians to refrain from politicising the incident, stressing that the focus should remain on securing the safe rescue 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 unprecedented, Makinde observed that the abduction of nursery and primary school pupils was unusual in Nigeria.
“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 added.
While acknowledging the numerous suggestions and opinions on how to tackle the crisis, the governor maintained that caution and responsibility must guide every action taken by 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 said.
Makinde assured the families that the government would continue to explore all available options to secure the victims’ release.
“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 (LAUTECH), Iseyin Campus, commended the governor’s intervention and appealed for sustained efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.
Also, Mrs. Funmilayo Ojo disclosed that four of her grandchildren and her son’s wife were among those abducted, describing the incident as a painful experience for affected families.
Community leaders and residents expressed optimism that the government and security agencies would succeed in rescuing the abductees and restoring peace to the area.
