Oyo school attack: Makinde confirms arrests, cautions South-West over migrating bandits

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed the arrest of suspected informants linked to the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted seven teachers and killed an Islamic Studies teacher.

Makinde disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists after a high-level security meeting with service commanders and heads of security agencies in the state. The meeting was convened to review the security situation and coordinate efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity.

According to the governor, six suspects were arrested within the affected locality, while three additional persons of interest were also taken into custody in connection with the attack.

“The information available is that about six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them we believe are informants. Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested,” Makinde said.

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He noted that preliminary intelligence reports suggest some of those arrested may have provided information or logistical support to the gunmen before the invasion of the schools.

Makinde also revealed that the exact number of missing pupils had yet to be fully determined, as security agencies were still working with affected communities and school authorities to verify figures and establish a clear account of those abducted.

Linking the attack to broader national security dynamics, the governor attributed the incident to the migration of armed groups fleeing sustained military operations against terrorists and bandits in the North-West.

“With the pressure on the terrorists and the bandits in the North-West, they will keep moving southward,” he said.

Makinde warned that states in the South-West must strengthen their security architecture to effectively repel or neutralise criminal elements displaced from conflict zones in other parts of the country.

“But the problem that we have is when you have pressure in one place, we must be prepared on this side to either repel or neutralise any terrorists fleeing the pressure points,” he added.

The governor further stated that the state government would not rely solely on kinetic, military-based strategies to address the crisis.

He said consultations were ongoing with community leaders, elders, religious authorities, and officials of the Baptist Convention, as one of the affected schools is owned by the church.

“We have decided that we will adopt not just a kinetic approach. We are engaging leaders, elders and religious leaders, especially at the Baptist Convention,” Makinde said.