Makinde calls for renewed security push to free abducted Oyo Students, Teachers

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called for intensified collaboration between the state government and the Nigeria Police Force to secure the release of students and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area, as the victims marked one month in captivity.

The governor made the appeal on Monday while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, Olatoye Fayoade, during a working visit to the State Secretariat in Ibadan.

The visit came exactly 30 days after armed bandits attacked three schools in the farming communities of Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle on May 15, 2026, abducting 25 pupils and seven teachers.

The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele. One person was reportedly killed during the attack.

Speaking during the meeting, Makinde described the prolonged captivity of the victims as a painful experience for the state and their families, stressing the need for sustained cooperation among security agencies to bring the ordeal to an end.

“Today marks exactly one month since the children and their teachers were abducted. It has been a traumatic and depressing situation for us as a government and for the people of Oyo State. Their continued captivity underscores the need for stronger collaboration among all security institutions and levels of government,” the governor said.

Makinde disclosed that security operatives had identified the location where the victims are being held within the vast expanse of the Old Oyo National Park. According to him, the kidnappers and their captives have been effectively surrounded, but the challenging terrain and security concerns have complicated rescue efforts.

The governor noted that authorities are pursuing a carefully coordinated strategy aimed at securing the safe release of the abductees without endangering their lives. He added that a situation room has been established at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate intelligence gathering, surveillance and ongoing negotiations.

He also revealed that surveillance aircraft and drones acquired by the state government are currently being assembled and are expected to become operational before the end of June. The equipment, he said, would strengthen security monitoring along border areas linking Oyo State with neighbouring states and the Republic of Benin.

Responding, DIG Fayoade expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and assured residents that the police would continue to work with other security agencies to secure their release.

He stated that the newly established Violent Crimes Unit had intensified operations in Oyo State and pledged that security personnel would remain committed to ensuring that all the abducted students and teachers are rescued safely.

The abduction remains one of the most high-profile school kidnapping incidents recorded in Oyo State in recent years, with growing calls for urgent action to secure the victims’ freedom and improve security across vulnerable communities.