Efforts to secure the release of abducted pupils, teachers and school administrators in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are ongoing, the husband of one of the kidnapped principals, Professor Wole Alamu, has disclosed.
Professor Alamu, whose wife, Mrs Folawe Alamu, is among those abducted, made the disclosure during a telephone interview with Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Wednesday amid growing national concern over the incident.
He appealed for restraint in public discussions surrounding the rescue operations, warning that the release of sensitive information could undermine ongoing security efforts.
“We are going to grant interviews, but not now. Serious work is being done behind the scenes. Anything said at this stage may jeopardise the rescue operations,” he stated.
The university lecturer also commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and security agencies for what he described as coordinated and relentless efforts aimed at ensuring the safe return of the victims.
The abduction incident followed a coordinated attack by armed hoodlums on schools within the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area. The affected schools reportedly include Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A Primary School.
During the attack, several pupils, teachers and school administrators were kidnapped, while a teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun was killed.
A viral video circulating online earlier showed the abducted principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs Folawe Alamu, making an emotional appeal to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies, the Christian Association of Nigeria and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure the release of the victims.
The Oyo State Police Command had earlier confirmed that an assistant headmaster, Mr Adesiyan, and
an okada rider also lost their lives during the attack.Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified operations across the affected communities and surrounding forest corridors believed to be harbouring the abductors.The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, is reportedly overseeing a technology-driven rescue operation in the state, including the deployment of the police Intelligence Response Team.
Governor Makinde also revealed that two newly acquired surveillance aircraft were being prepared to provide aerial intelligence over forest areas linked to the kidnappers.
Security operatives further disclosed that several suspects had been arrested for allegedly acting as informants for the abductors by helping them navigate routes within the Old Oyo National Park.
The Oyo State Government maintained that while it remained open to dialogue to secure the release of the victims, it would not finance ransom payments.
Reacting to the development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killing of one of the abducted teachers, describing the act as barbaric.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President assured Nigerians that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue the remaining victims and bring those responsible to justice.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be identified and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.
President Tinubu also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to accelerate legislative processes towards its creation as part of broader efforts to address insecurity across underserved communities.
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