Oyo Confirms Kidnappers of School Pupils Trapped in National Park

The Oyo State Government says security forces have trapped suspected kidnappers responsible for the abduction of pupils and school staff in Oriire Local Government Area within a national park area linking Oyo and Kwara states.

The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said on Saturday that security operatives have restricted the movement of the suspects following coordinated operations aimed at stopping their escape.

He explained that the suspected gunmen are currently confined within the national park axis, where they are being closely monitored by security agencies.

The attack reportedly occurred at LA School in Ahoro Esinele and Community Grammar School in the same community, where the armed men killed a teacher and a motorcyclist before abducting an unspecified number of pupils and several school staff, including principals and teachers.

According to the commissioner, security forces responded quickly to the incident and began rescue operations shortly after the attack was reported on Friday morning.

He said agencies involved include the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and the Civil Defence Agro Rangers, all working together to track the abductors.

The Oyo State Police Command is also collaborating with its counterpart in neighbouring Kwara State to prevent the suspects from escaping across state borders.

Security patrols were intensified on Saturday after intelligence reports suggested that the suspects were still hiding within the national park area.

Three joint patrol teams, supported by local hunters and operatives of the Amotekun Corps, have been deployed across communities around Igbeti and Oloka to assist in the search and rescue effort.

Authorities say there has been no direct contact with the abductors since the operation began.

Officials also noted that the exact number of pupils taken in the attack has not yet been confirmed, as school records are still being verified.

This uncertainty, according to the government, has made the rescue operation more complex.

The commissioner assured residents that security agencies are maintaining pressure on the suspects and are confident that the victims will be rescued safely.

He also highlighted the capacity of the state security outfit, the Amotekun Corps, which currently operates with hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles and thousands of personnel deployed across the state.

The Oyo State Government says it remains committed to protecting lives and restoring security in affected communities while efforts continue to locate and rescue the abducted pupils and staff.

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