Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has vowed to safely rescue the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA), confirming that the victims are being tracked within the Old Oyo National Park axis.
Addressing protesters at the Government House in Ibadan on Tuesday, which included popular social media activist VeryDarkMan, Governor Makinde reassured the public of his administration’s absolute commitment to bringing the victims home alive.
Speaking on the incident, the governor said he was personally distressed by the abduction, noting that the victims, who include nursery and primary school pupils, had been in captivity for over a month.
“I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I’m also distressed with what has happened to our children. It has been one month, just one month and one day already,” Makinde said.
He explained that he could not disclose details of the ongoing security operation due to its sensitive nature but stressed that efforts were being made to ensure the safe return of the victims.
“Because of the nature of the security situation that is involved, I cannot divulge a lot of information,” he stated.
The governor described the incident as unprecedented, saying it was the first time nursery and primary school children had been abducted in such circumstances.
“This is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that they have abducted nursery and primary school children. 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 said.
Makinde also assured residents that every effort was being made to avoid casualties during the rescue mission.
“I don’t want to lose any of those children. I give you the assurance that I, as the governor, by God’s grace, will bring out those children,” he added.
The governor further acknowledged that the state was in communication with the abductors, describing it as an exceptional measure necessitated by the circumstances.
“If governments are negotiating with bandits, it means portraying great sovereignty to the bandits. In this special situation, for those children alive, we have to bear the burden,” he said.
He expressed confidence that once the victims were rescued, measures would be put in place to prevent a recurrence.
“Once the children are out, I give you the assurance that it will not occur again,” Makinde stated.
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