Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that his administration is prepared to engage with the abductors of students and teachers from the Oriire Local Government Area to secure the safe return of the captives. The announcement follows a mass abduction that has left the state in a state of mourning and high alert.
Speaking at his private residence in Ibadan on Monday, Governor Makinde emphasised that while the government will not surrender to terrorism, it is willing to consider the demands of the kidnappers if such dialogue facilitates a swift rescue. He stressed that the primary objective of the state is the immediate and safe release of all those held against their will.
The governor confirmed the scale of the crisis, noting that seven secondary school students, 18 primary school pupils, and seven teachers were seized during the attack. He further expressed regret over the loss of life, confirming that one teacher was killed by the assailants.
Describing the current security operation as "fluid and difficult," the governor revealed that an operational situation room has been established at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters. This centre is currently coordinating rescue efforts and providing verified information to the public as security agencies continue to comb the area.
In an effort to bolster security, Governor Makinde confirmed that the surveillance aircraft procured by the state government have arrived in Nigeria. Currently being assembled at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos, these assets are expected to be operational by the end of June. The aircraft are designed to monitor border communities, including the boundary between Oyo and Kwara states, as well as the international border with the Republic of Benin.