President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered intensified efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The approval was conveyed on Sunday by a high-powered Federal Government delegation that visited the affected Esiele and Yawota communities, more than two weeks after armed men kidnapped dozens of schoolchildren and teachers.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation informed community leaders that Tinubu had also directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify operations aimed at securing the safe return of the victims.
The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Addressing residents, Gbajabiamila said the President was deeply concerned about the abductions and had directed security agencies to deploy all available resources to secure the release of the victims.
“Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he said.
“He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective.”
Gbajabiamila also assured residents that the rescue efforts would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated to avoid jeopardising the safety of the captives.
The delegation further informed community leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa confirmed the approval of the forest guards initiative, saying the recruitment would be carried out in collaboration with the Oyo State Government.
“President Tinubu has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest rangers in Oyo. Other security requests by the people will be looked into,” Musa said.
The abductions occurred on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities, taking pupils and teachers hostage.
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A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded during the attack, while a motorcyclist and a security operative also lost their lives during subsequent rescue attempts.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State over the continued captivity of the abducted teachers and pupils.
In a directive issued by the union’s national leadership, all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State were ordered to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the victims are released.
The directive was jointly signed by NUT National President Audu Amba and Secretary-General Clinton Ikpitibo.
“The National Leadership has directed all Primary and Secondary School teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted teachers and students are safely released,” the statement said.
The union described the conditions under which the victims are being held as “horrifying, inhumane and traumatic” and expressed frustration over the lack of progress in securing their release despite repeated appeals to government and security agencies.
The NUT also directed its state chapters nationwide to organise solidarity rallies on June 2 to demand improved protection for schools, teachers and learners across the country.
National President of the union, Audu Amba, confirmed the directive, stating that teachers had been instructed to remain at home until further notice.
The Oyo State chapter of the union has also announced full compliance with the industrial action, citing growing fear and anxiety within the education sector over the safety of teachers and pupils.
