Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that students and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area are believed to be held within the vast Old Oyo National Park, nearly four weeks after their abduction.
In an update on ongoing rescue efforts, the governor said intelligence reports indicate that the victims, who were abducted during coordinated attacks on schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities, remain within the wider national park axis.
The governor said security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the captives, despite the operational difficulties posed by the park’s rugged terrain and vast size.
“It has been 27 days since our children and teachers were forcefully taken from their schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of Oriire Local Government Area,” Mr Makinde said.
“For 27 days, families have gone to bed without their loved ones. For 27 days, communities have lived with uncertainty. For 27 days, our children and teachers have remained in captivity.”
The governor acknowledged the frustration of families awaiting the return of their loved ones, saying the government remained committed to bringing them home safely.
“I know that many times I have said, ‘We will get them home safely.’ But I also know that having heard these words so often, without seeing that outcome yet, they may now sound hollow or empty. Please trust that they are not,” he said.
“We are doing everything within our power to bring them home safely.”
Rescue Efforts Continue
Mr Makinde said authorities could not disclose operational details but stressed that security agencies were pursuing every credible lead.
“We continue to pursue every credible lead and take every lawful action available to us to secure their release,” he said.
The governor disclosed that intelligence reports placed the abductees within the Old Oyo National Park corridor, a protected area covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres across parts of 10 local government areas in Oyo State.
“One thing I can say is that our security reports indicate that they remain within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis,” he said.
“This is a vast area that stretches across parts of 10 local government areas in our state, covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres.”
According to him, the scale and terrain of the park have complicated rescue operations, requiring patience, coordination and persistence from security personnel.
The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the state’s toll-free emergency number, 615.
“If you see anything suspicious, please call 615, the Oyo State Citizens Enquiry Number. The line is toll-free and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.
Mr Makinde also warned against spreading unverified information about the abduction, noting that misinformation could jeopardise ongoing rescue operations.
“Please rely on official channels for information. These are sensitive matters, and we must avoid anything that could jeopardise rescue efforts,” he added.
He appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information and to pray for the safe return of the abducted students and teachers.
