VIDEO: Makinde vows to safely rescue abducted Oyo students, teachers

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has pledged the safe rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in the state, assuring residents that all possible measures are being taken. The governor conveyed his personal distress over the incident, emphasizing that the nursery and primary school pupils have been held captive for more than a month.

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I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I’m also distressed with what has happened to our children. It has been one month, just one month and one day already.

Speaking to protesters at the Oyo State Government House, Makinde explained that he could not divulge specific details of the ongoing security operation due to its sensitive nature. However, he stressed that significant efforts are underway to ensure the victims' safe return. He described the abduction as unprecedented, noting it is the first time young children of this age have been taken in such circumstances.

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Because of the nature of the security situation that is involved, I cannot divulge a lot of information.

Makinde assured that the operation aims to avoid casualties, stating, "I don’t want to lose any of those children. I give you the assurance that I, as the governor, by God’s grace, will bring out those children." He acknowledged that the state is communicating with the abductors, a measure deemed necessary given the special circumstances. The governor also committed to implementing measures to prevent a recurrence once the children are safely rescued.

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This is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that they have abducted nursery and primary school children. These are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves. So, the operation to rescue them is a special type of operation.