Makinde Vows Safe Return Of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reassured residents that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in the state will be safely rescued, emphasizing that his administration is deploying every available resource to secure their release.

According to reports, the governor gave the assurance while addressing social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, alongside other protesters at the Oyo State Government House on Tuesday.

Makinde expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that the victims, including nursery and primary school pupils, had remained in captivity for more than a month. He said the situation was particularly painful because he could relate to the anguish of the affected families as a parent.

The governor stated that while significant efforts were ongoing, he could not disclose operational details due to the sensitive nature of the rescue mission and the need to protect its success.

Describing the abduction as unprecedented, Makinde noted that it marked the first known case in Nigeria involving the kidnapping of nursery and primary school pupils, stressing that the age and vulnerability of the children required a carefully coordinated rescue strategy.

He assured residents that every effort was being made to ensure the children and their teachers were rescued without casualties, expressing confidence that they would regain their freedom.

Makinde also revealed that the state government was maintaining communication with the abductors, explaining that the unusual circumstances of the case necessitated exceptional measures aimed at preserving the lives of the victims.

The governor added that his administration would strengthen security measures after the victims’ release to prevent a recurrence of such an incident, reiterating his commitment to ensuring the safe return of the children and restoring public confidence in the state’s security framework.