Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde says his administration will not bow to terror, but is open to hearing the demands of the abductors of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area to secure their safe release.
Speaking to journalists at his Kolapo Ishola residence in Ibadan on Monday, Makinde gave an update on the rescue operation after gunmen attacked three schools last Friday and kidnapped students and teachers.
He confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. One person was killed during the attack.
“The operation is still ongoing. It’s a fluid and difficult situation for our troops on the ground,” Makinde said. He urged the public and media to avoid sensational reporting, stressing that “lives are at stake.”
The state has set up an operational center at the Police Headquarters to coordinate the rescue effort. Makinde said further details would be limited for now due to the complexity of the operation, but promised updates when significant progress is made.
The governor also confirmed that surveillance aircraft procured by the state have arrived in Nigeria and are being reassembled at the Nigerian Air Force base in Lagos. He said the aircraft, expected to be operational before the end of June, are meant to strengthen security along Oyo’s borders with Kwara State and the Republic of Benin.
Addressing rising tension among residents, Makinde assured that the government remains committed to protecting lives and property. “This is a blot, but we are doing everything within our power to ensure normalcy returns and that the abducted children and teachers are returned quickly,” he said.
On dialogue, the governor said the state would not capitulate to criminals but would listen to their demands where possible.
“To the group, we will not give in to terror. We will do everything to ensure our children and their teachers are returned safely. Whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen and address what we can as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released,” Makinde stated.
He also called on citizens to provide timely information to security agencies, saying, “If you see something strange, say something, and expect us to act.”
Reflecting on the state of insecurity, Makinde lamented how Nigeria had descended to a point where “it is us against ourselves.”
