Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has pledged that security agencies are working urgently to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in the state, assuring residents that no effort will be spared to bring them home safely.
Makinde gave the assurance while speaking with protesters, including social media influencer VeryDarkMan, at the Oyo State Government House in a video shared online on Tuesday.
The governor said he was deeply distressed by the incident, noting that the victims—nursery and primary school pupils alongside their teachers—had remained in captivity for over a month.
“I am also distressed because I have children of my own,” Makinde said. “It has been one month, just one month and one day already.”
He explained that details of the ongoing rescue operation could not be disclosed due to security sensitivities but stressed that government and security forces were actively working to ensure the safe return of the abductees.
‘Special operation’ underway
Makinde described the kidnapping as an unprecedented case, saying it marked the first time nursery and primary school children had been abducted in such circumstances in Nigeria.
“These are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves,” he said, adding that the rescue effort required a “special type of operation.”
He further assured residents that authorities were prioritising the safe recovery of the victims and taking steps to avoid any loss of life during the operation.
“I don’t want to lose any of those children,” he said. “I give you the assurance that I, as the governor, will bring out those children.”
Security agencies are expected to continue coordinated efforts as pressure mounts on authorities to secure the release of the abducted pupils and their teachers.
