IBADAN — Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reassured residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to safely rescue the students and educators recently abducted in the Oriire Local Government Area.
In a statement released on May 27, 2026, coinciding with this year’s Eid celebrations and Children’s Day, Governor Makinde emphasized that his administration stands firmly with the affected families while security forces press forward with their search and rescue operations.
“As we mark this year’s Eid and Children’s Day, our thoughts are with every family awaiting the return of their loved ones, and with security agencies working to keep our communities safe,” Governor Makinde stated. “We are working to ensure the safe return of those who were kidnapped in Oriire LGA. May this holy season fill our State with peace.”
The Governor’s remarks come at a time of heightened tension across Oyo State, where a wave of targeted attacks on academic institutions has sparked widespread public anger and intense scrutiny over the safety of learning environments.
Protests and Public Outcry in Ogbomosho
Earlier in May, educators in Ogbomosho launched massive demonstrations to protest the recurring kidnappings of pupils and teachers. The protesters, who gathered in large numbers at key locations, voiced deep frustration over the vulnerability of local schools, chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards. In footage obtained by Sahara Reporters, demonstrators urged the authorities to intervene immediately, with one prominent placard reading, “Government take action.”
The unrest was triggered by a violent raid in the Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen breached local school premises, killed a teacher, and took an unspecified number of students and staff hostage.
Hostage Videos Spark Anxiety
Public anxiety has intensified following the circulation of distressing videos released by the captors, showing the victims pleading for assistance.
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First Baptist Church Staff Member: In one video, a visibly shaken nursing mother identified herself as an employee of the First Baptist Church in Yawota, Ogbomosho. Weeping, she appealed to the church community and both federal and state governments to facilitate their release.
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School Principal: In a separate clip, Mrs. Racheal Alamu, the Principal of Community High School, Esiele, also made an urgent plea for government intervention.
The gunmen reportedly targeted LA Primary School and Community Grammar School located in the Ahoro-Esiele community during the assault.
Government and Military Response
In response to the crisis, the Oyo State Government announced that security forces have cordoned off potential escape routes around the National Park axis to prevent the kidnappers from moving the hostages into neighboring states.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has attributed the raid to terrorists from the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction. According to the military, these insurgents are fleeing pressure from sustained armed operations in other regions of the country.
In an official statement, Major General Michael Onoja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, dismissed allegations that the military was downplaying the security situation in the South West, labeling such narratives as “mischievous and misleading.”
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to supporting constitutional governance, protecting democratic institutions and working collaboratively with all levels of government to safeguard the nation,” Major General Onoja stated.
The DHQ clarified that its previous commentary was intended to offer intelligence-driven context to counter misinformation, reiterating that troops are actively pursuing the retreating terrorist cells responsible for the breach.
As the search continues, Governor Makinde’s festive message has underscored the growing demand for decisive, coordinated security measures to guarantee the safe return of the captives and restore confidence in the state’s educational system.
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