Seyi Makinde Urges Unity as Oyo School Abduction Crisis Deepens

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for calm and unity in ongoing efforts to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

Makinde made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing protesters at the Government House in Ibadan during a solidarity rally organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and other stakeholders demanding the immediate rescue of the victims.

The demonstration followed an indefinite strike by public school teachers in Oyo State, declared by the NUT over the continued captivity of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Makinde Appeals for Patience Amid Rescue Efforts

Addressing the protesters, the governor urged residents to avoid politicising the crisis and instead support ongoing rescue operations by security agencies.

“It’s not the time for us to say, well, it is the president that should have handled this, it is the governor or the local government. This is a time to pull together as one,” Makinde said.

The governor described the abductors as dangerous criminals and stressed that authorities at both the state and federal levels were working tirelessly to secure the victims’ freedom.

“We’re not dealing with normal human beings. We’re dealing with people… just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? Is that somebody that is normal? So these are not normal people,” he added.

Makinde said he had been holding multiple daily meetings with security agencies and federal operatives deployed to the state, assuring families of the abductees that efforts to secure their release remained a top priority.

“I can only appeal to you, for the students, the workers, the teachers, I can appeal to you to please have trust in your government,” he said.

“We’re doing our best. I’ve heard from the federal government security operatives that have been here for the past two weeks. They spent Sallah here. I’ve been meeting with them morning, night, and sometimes three, four times in a day.”

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Nationwide Protests Intensify Over Captives

The governor’s remarks came as pressure mounted on authorities following nationwide protests organised by the NUT, NANS and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).

The groups have demanded urgent action to secure the release of the victims, who were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA.

According to reports gathered by RMNews360, about 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken hostage during the attacks. The assailants also killed an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist.

The crisis worsened days later when one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers, triggering outrage across the country.

In separate videos shared on social media, Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, who is among the captives, appealed to authorities to negotiate their release, warning that the kidnappers had threatened to kill another victim.

Makinde urged residents not to allow the crisis to create division within the state.

“We shouldn’t provide oxygen to the people that want to see us divided. The response at this time should be to pull together, allow the government to see this through,” he said.

“I can give you the assurance that our children and their teachers will be rescued.”

The governor visited families of the victims last Saturday, while a Federal Government delegation led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited Ogbomoso on Sunday.

President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Segun Lasisi

A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.