Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde says the state government is ready to listen to the demands of the abductors of 32 pupils, students and teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area, in a bid to secure their safe release.
Makinde disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at his Ibadan residence. He stressed that Oyo would not surrender to terrorism, but every effort is being made to ensure the victims return unharmed.
He confirmed that seven secondary school students, 18 primary school pupils and seven teachers were abducted during the attack on schools in Ahoro Esinle Community. One teacher has been killed.
He said:“Seven teachers were kidnapped alongside seven secondary school students and eighteen primary school pupils. It’s unfortunate one of the teachers was killed yesterday.
“At the Community Secondary School, about seven students were abducted, while at the 1st Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted and the teachers involved are seven.”
He described the situation as “fluid and difficult,” adding that security operatives are still carrying out rescue operations.
“This is not sensational; it involves lives,” he said, urging responsible reporting.
An operational situation room has been set up at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate the rescue and provide verified updates.
The Commissioner of Police will lead briefings from the centre, Makinde said.
He also confirmed that surveillance aircraft procured by the state have arrived in Nigeria and are being reassembled at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos. Chinese manufacturers arrived three days ago and need about two weeks to complete assembly.
“Those surveillance aircraft will be in operation on or before the end of June,” he disclosed.
The aircraft were bought to monitor Oyo’s borders with Kwara State and the Republic of Benin. Makinde said the purchase was proactive, though the state did not anticipate the Oriire attack.
He appeal to the abductors, saying the government is willing to engage to save lives.
“These are not foreign people. It is us against ourselves. Whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen to them and address the ones we can as a state government. The children and their teachers must be released timely,” he said.
