Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has revealed that security operatives from the Federal Government have been deployed to the state for the past two weeks, following the mass abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May 2026. The governor, who spoke during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said he has been holding security meetings “three to four times daily” and working directly with security agencies to facilitate the victims’ safe return.
The abduction, which occurred on 15 May 2026, saw about 12 armed men on motorcycles, dressed in military camouflage, simultaneously attack Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro‑Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele. The gunmen killed an assistant headmaster, Mr. Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist, before forcing 39 pupils and seven teachers into the bush. A mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded in a viral video. Among the abducted teachers was the principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, who has since appeared in a desperate video from captivity. The victims remain in captivity, and the governor described the situation as “fluid and difficult,” noting that rescue operations are ongoing.
Addressing the labour leaders, Makinde appealed for calm and cooperation, urging the unions not to proceed with planned protests and nationwide solidarity rallies. He warned that public demonstrations could complicate ongoing rescue efforts and embolden the abductors. “Since this incident occurred, I’ve been holding security meetings twice daily and working directly with security agencies,” the governor said, emphasising that he had been meeting with service commanders sometimes until 10 or 11 p.m.. He also disclosed that nearly 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, had lost their lives while combating insecurity across the state in the past six years.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had earlier directed all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike starting from Monday, 1 June 2026, over the continued captivity of their colleagues and students. The union also mobilised for nationwide solidarity rallies on Tuesday, 2 June. Similarly, NANS had called for nationwide protests following the abduction.
In a separate development, the Federal Government has announced the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and the deployment of a special rescue unit with advanced capabilities to secure the release of the victims. The measures were announced by a high‑level delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, which visited the affected communities on 31 May. However, the governor insisted that while the Federal Government was providing support, the primary responsibility for the rescue operation rests with the state government and its security agencies.
The governor’s appeal to the labour leaders came as families of the abducted victims continue to wait in anguish. Mrs. Alamu, the abducted principal, has appeared in a video from captivity, begging the government to negotiate rather than use force and revealing that the captives are being left under the scorching sun and heavy rain with no shelter. The NUT has made it clear that the strike will continue until all the abducted victims are safely released.
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