- The Oyo State Government has confirmed that abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire are still being held inside the Old Oyo National Park weeks after their kidnapping. Security agencies are currently carrying out coordinated operations within the vast forest area to locate and rescue them safely.
- Governor Seyi Makinde says the challenging terrain of the national park has slowed operations but assured that intelligence-led efforts are ongoing.
Seyi Makinde has confirmed that the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are still being held within the expansive Old Oyo National Park, nearly four weeks after the incident that has kept the state on edge.
According to the governor, security agencies are actively intensifying rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the victims, who were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities on May 15, 2026.
Intelligence reports, he noted, suggest the abductees remain within the vast forested terrain of the national park, which spans thousands of square kilometres across multiple local government areas in Oyo State.
Makinde explained that the difficult terrain of the park has significantly complicated search and rescue efforts, requiring more coordinated planning and sustained military and security pressure. He assured residents that all credible intelligence is being acted upon and that lawful measures are being fully deployed to secure the victims’ release without harm.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and report any suspicious movement through the state’s emergency hotline, stressing that misinformation could disrupt ongoing operations.
The governor further appealed for public cooperation and continued prayers for the safe return of the abducted students and teachers.
