Makinde vows safe return of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has pledged that the safe rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area remains the administration's highest priority. He assured residents that security agencies are actively engaged in coordinated operations to secure the victims' release.

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Security agencies have continued intensive operations aimed at securing the safe return of the abducted children and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area. These efforts remain active and coordinated, with government providing every necessary support to the security agencies involved.

In a statement issued Friday, Makinde confirmed the government is providing all necessary support to the involved security agencies. These intensive operations are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the abducted children and teachers. To bolster these efforts and create a more secure environment for the rescue mission, the government has approved a temporary 16-hour curfew in 10 Local Government Areas that border the Old Oyo National Park.

Makinde also addressed the resumption of schools, stating that preparations are underway to ensure a safe return to learning despite the current security challenges. He emphasized that every precaution will be taken to protect pupils, teachers, and their communities, balancing the need for education with child safety. "Education remains too important to be placed indefinitely on hold, and every decision continues to balance learning with the safety of our children," he stated.

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Education remains too important to be placed indefinitely on hold, and every decision continues to balance learning with the safety of our children.

Additionally, Governor Makinde provided an update on the state's surveillance aircraft, noting that its delivery is in the final phases. Delays in the expected June delivery are due to additional technical procedures required before handover. These processes are essential to ensure the aircraft meets all operational, regulatory, and safety requirements before entering service, guaranteeing its readiness for immediate deployment.

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Additional technical procedures required before handover have extended the anticipated delivery timeline beyond the previously projected June delivery date. These final processes are designed to ensure that every operational, regulatory and safety requirement has been fully satisfied before the aircraft enters service.