Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has promised that abducted pupils and teachers will be safely rescued, assuring residents that his administration is taking all necessary steps to secure their release and prevent a repeat of mass school abductions like the 2014 Chibok incident.

The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, while addressing protesters led by social media activist VeryDarkMan at the Government House in Ibadan. He described the kidnapping of nursery and primary school pupils in Oriire Local Government Area as deeply distressing, noting that the victims have been in captivity for over a month.

“This is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that nursery and primary school children have been abducted,” Makinde said. “These are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves. So the operation to rescue them is a special type of operation.” He added that he could not share operational details due to security sensitivity, but stressed that every effort was being made to avoid casualties.

Gunmen had attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele on Friday, May 15, 2026, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers. Makinde confirmed that one teacher was killed during the raid, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, and seven students from Community Secondary School.

The governor said security agencies, including federal operatives deployed to the area, have been holding twice-daily meetings to coordinate rescue strategies. He appealed to residents to trust the government and avoid politicizing the incident, describing it as a time of national distress that requires unity rather than blame.

Makinde also revealed a personal connection to the affected area, saying his late father taught at Awole Dada, less than 15 kilometers from where the attack occurred. “I am personally distressed because I have children of my own,” he said. “I give you the assurance that I, as the governor, by God’s grace, will bring out those children.”

Source: Arise news