Abducted Oyo pupils, teachers spend one month in captivity, Makinde seeks help

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, appealed for deeper collaboration between the state government and the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from Yawota and Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

He made the appeal while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, Olatoye Fayoade, who paid a working visit to his office in Ibadan, the state capital.

The visit was part of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive for senior police officers to engage stakeholders and assess security challenges across the country.

The PUNCH reports that teachers and students were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Makinde, in his remarks, described the abduction as one of the most traumatic incidents to have confronted the state in recent times, noting that the government remained committed to working closely with federal security agencies until all the victims regained their freedom.

He said, “The painful reality that the abducted children and their teachers have remained in captivity for a month underpins the need for sustained cooperation among security institutions and governments at all levels.

“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. We are here to continue to cooperate with the federal authorities, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to solve this problem.”

Makinde acknowledged the enormous security responsibilities confronting the police and other security agencies, stressing that limited resources and vast territories requiring surveillance posed significant operational challenges.

He noted that the state’s expansive landmass presents unique security demands, adding that the state government appreciates the efforts of security personnel despite the difficulties they face.

The governor reiterated the determination of his administration to provide additional support where necessary.

He therefore urged the visiting DIG to relay the state’s appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police and to offer recommendations on areas where government intervention could further strengthen police operations.

“Whatever we can do as a government, we are ready to do. If there are areas where you think we need to do more to better support officers and men of the command, we are prepared to act,” he said.

Makinde particularly commended the Inspector-General’s establishment of the Violent Crimes Unit, describing the initiative as one that had already begun yielding positive results in Oyo.

Earlier, DIG Fayoade assured the governor that the Nigeria Police Force remained fully committed to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, stressing that no officer involved in the rescue efforts would relent until the victims were safely reunited with their families.

The DIG, who conveyed the Inspector-General’s goodwill message to the governor, expressed sympathy with the government and people of Oyo State over the incident and commended Makinde’s unwavering support for security agencies operating in the state.

He disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to evaluate security challenges, identify strategic concerns affecting policing operations and communicate such findings to the Inspector-General for necessary action.

Fayoade stated that security measures had already been strengthened across Oyo to prevent further criminal activities capable of undermining the state’s social and economic development.

He assured residents that the Commissioner of Police and other security personnel had been directed to intensify efforts aimed at safeguarding lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state.

The DIG pledged that the force would continue to work diligently to prevent a recurrence of incidents such as the Oriire school abduction and maintain the state’s longstanding reputation as one of the most peaceful in the country.