Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, assured residents that his administration would do everything possible to secure the safe release of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted from communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
- +Makinde vows safe return of abducted schoolchildren, teachers
The governor said he is personally committed to bringing the victims back home safely.
The governor said he is personally committed to bringing the victims back home safely.
He gave the assurance while addressing protesters led by popular social media activist and influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who marched to the Governor’s Office in Ibadan over the recent kidnapping incident.
Speaking to the protesters at his residence in Ikolaba, Makinde said security agencies were carrying out a delicate and specialised operation aimed at rescuing the victims without endangering their lives.
The governor said, “We will do anything to rescue the children. The operation to rescue them is a special type of operation because we do not want to lose any of those children.
“I give you the assurance that I, as the governor of Oyo, will bring out those of our children.
“We are working tirelessly with all relevant security agencies, and we will not relent until they are safely reunited with their families.”
Earlier, VDM had led a crowd of members of the Ratel Movement and other concerned citizens in a peaceful protest across parts of Ibadan, demanding urgent action from the government and security agencies over the abduction.
The protesters gathered under the Iwo Road bridge opposite Terminal 1 before embarking on a march through major roads in the city, carrying placards with inscriptions condemning insecurity and calling for the immediate rescue of the kidnapped pupils and teachers.
Addressing the crowd during the protest, VDM said the demonstration was intended to draw national attention to the plight of the abducted children and their families.
“We cannot continue to remain silent while innocent children are taken away from their classrooms. The safety of our children must be a priority for every level of government,” he said.
The activist urged both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts toward tackling insecurity and ensuring the safe return of the victims.
He stressed that attacks on schools not only endanger lives but also threaten education and the future of the country.
The protest attracted significant public attention as many residents joined the march while others watched from the roadside, chanting solidarity songs and demanding justice for the victims.
The abduction of the schoolchildren and teachers on May 15, 2026, from Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area has generated widespread outrage across Oyo State and beyond, with parents, community leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders calling for swift action to secure their release.
