- .as Ribadu, IGP, Gbajabiamila, Defence Minister visit scene
President Bola Tinubu has directed the security agencies to rescue the pupils and their teachers recently abducted by criminals in Ogbomoso area of Oyo State.
He asked them to bring the pupils and teachers home safely soonest, just as a high powered delegation of the Federal Government visited the scene on Sunday.
The president gave the directive through a delegation that visited the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State to meet with community leaders and families of abducted teachers, students, and pupils of the affected primary and secondary schools on May 15.
The delegation met with community leaders and relatives of the victims as part of efforts to rescue the victims.
Others in the delegation were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu; Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe; and the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, who led the delegation, delivered President Tinubu’s message to the grieving community, saying that the president shares their sorrow and pain at this critical moment.
He said the president has directed all security agencies to rescue all those abducted in Oyo State and bring them back home safely.
According to him, the President saw some of the videos of those in captivity appealing to the government not to use violence in resolving the issues.
He assured that the president promised that the rescue approach to be adoptedi would be intelligence-driven, and the ultimate goal is to ensure that the abducted teachers and pupils return home unharmed.
The President’s Chief of Staff added that a support system, and trauma counselling, would be provided for affected families, assuring that the safety of every Nigerian child and the entire citizenry of the country remains Tinubu’s priority.
On his part, Ribadu said the abduction of infants is a new tactic by kidnappers and assured that the insecurity issue will be solved.
He added that forest guards will be deployed to Oyo State, particularly to schools in the rural community, to safeguard the children.
Also, in his address, Musa appealed to the community leaders to work closely with the security agents deployed to their community.
He said the entire Oriire community is being monitored with a technology device.
The defence minister asked them to report any strange visitors or suspicious acts in their environment to rescue the kidnapped victims as soon as possible.
The high-level visit comes amid growing public concern over the incident, which has sparked protests and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and rural communities across Oyo State.
Earlier on Saturday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde visited Ogbomoso and reassured residents that his administration would continue to deploy every available effort to secure the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Addressing members of the community, the governor appealed for patience, understanding, and cooperation, urging residents not to apportion blame to either the federal or state government but to unite behind efforts to rescue the victims.
Makinde sympathised with the affected families and the wider community, describing the incident as unprecedented, particularly because it involved the abduction of underage children.
Specifically, the governor addressed the families of teachers and pupils abducted in Ahoro, Esiele, Yawota Community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, during his visit to the community.
He said he shared in the pain and grief of the victims’ families, adding that regardless of any grievances the abductors might claim to have, their actions remained cruel, unacceptable, and inhumane.
The governor also recalled the sacrifices made by operatives of the Western Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, some of whom have lost their lives while tackling security challenges across the state.
He disclosed that since the abduction occurred, he had been holding security meetings twice daily and working closely with relevant security agencies to facilitate the safe return of the victims.
Makinde further commended security commanders for their dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property in the state and called on residents to continue praying for the success of ongoing rescue efforts.
“Don’t cry. I have come here today because of you. You installed this government. I want to let you know that this government is responsible for you. By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers.
“Please, I want you to cooperate with us because we are doing everything humanly possible to get our children and teachers back,” Makinde said.
He added: “This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and the federal government. This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers.
“I feel your pain but have trust in us.”
The abduction occurred on May 15 when gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, and kidnapped 45 pupils and teachers.
Days later, one of the abducted teachers, reportedly a Mathematics teacher, was reportedly beheaded by the attackers.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, with both Governor Makinde and President Bola Tinubu promising swift action to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
However, with many of the abductees still in captivity more than two weeks after the attack, anxiety has continued to grow across Oyo State and beyond.
The mounting frustration culminated in a peaceful protest last Monday in Ogbomoso, where teachers suspended classroom activities and marched to the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) office to demand urgent government intervention.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters called on authorities at all levels to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
They also urged the government to strengthen security around schools and guarantee safer learning environments for both students and education workers.
(Rejigged from story culled from Channels TV)
