Makinde seeks police action as pupils abduction marks one month

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, appealed for deeper collaboration between the state government and the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from Yawota and Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

He made the appeal while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, Olatoye Fayoade, who paid a working visit to his office in Ibadan, the state capital.

The visit was part of the directive of the Inspector-General of Police for senior police officers to engage stakeholders and assess security challenges across the country.

The PUNCH reports that scores of teachers and students were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, May 15,2026.

Makinde, while receiving the DIG on Monday, described the abduction as one of the most traumatic incidents to have confronted the state in recent times, noting that the government remained committed to working closely with federal security agencies until all the victims regained their freedom.

He said, “The painful reality that the abducted children and their teachers had remained in captivity for a month underpinned the need for sustained cooperation among security institutions and governments at all levels.

“Today marks exactly one month since the children and their teachers were abducted. It has been a traumatic and depressing situation for us as a government and for the people of Oyo.

“We are here to continue to cooperate with the federal authorities, especially the Nigerian Police Force, to solve this problem,” the governor said.

Makinde acknowledged the enormous security responsibilities confronting the police and other security agencies, stressing that limited resources and the vast territories requiring surveillance posed significant operational challenges.

He noted that the state’s expansive landmass alone presented unique security demands, adding that the state government appreciated the efforts of security personnel despite the difficulties they faced.

The governor reiterated the determination of his administration to provide additional support where necessary.

He urged the visiting DIG to relay the state’s appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police and to offer recommendations on areas where government intervention could further strengthen police operations.

“Whatever we can do as a government, we are ready to do. If there are areas where you think we need to do more to better support officers and men of the command, we are prepared to act,” he said.

Makinde particularly commended the Inspector-General’s establishment of the Violent Crimes Unit, describing the initiative as one that had already begun yielding positive results in Oyo.

Earlier, Fayoade assured the governor that the police remained fully committed to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, stressing that no officer involved in the rescue efforts would relent until the victims were safely reunited with their families.

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The DIG, who conveyed the IGP’s goodwill message to the governor, expressed sympathy with the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident and commended Makinde’s unwavering support for security agencies operating in the state.

He disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to evaluate security challenges, identify strategic concerns affecting policing operations and communicate such findings to the Inspector-General for necessary action.

Fayoade stated that security measures had already been strengthened across Oyo to prevent further criminal activities capable of undermining the state’s social and economic development.

He assured residents that the Commissioner of Police and other security personnel had been directed to intensify efforts aimed at safeguarding lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state.

The DIG pledged that the force would continue to work diligently to prevent a recurrence of incidents such as the Oriire school abduction and maintain the state’s longstanding reputation as one of the most peaceful in the country.

Cleric demands rescue

A Methodist Archbishop and proprietor of Vision Africa Radio, Umuahia, Archbishop Sunday Onuoha, has appealed to the Federal Government to secure the release of pupils abducted in Oyo State.

He made the appeal on Monday in Umuahia during the 14th edition and 2025/2026 school debate, won by Gradriel International School, Umuahia, while University Demonstration School, Umuahia, came second.

Onuoha said, “General Ihejirika has been such a wonderful friend through the years who fought gallantly to save Nigeria from collapsing.

“Nigeria owes him a lot of appreciation and apology. And if we have men and women like General Ihejirika, gunmen will not come to our school to abduct our sons and daughters who are in school.

“We want to use this opportunity, and we are pleading with the government and people in authority to release the abducted children. We are pleading with our military, with our police, with our security agencies to protect our schools.”

Wife of the state governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, said, “The Abia State Government, under Dr Alex Otti, remains committed to transforming education through better infrastructure and qualified teachers for every Abia child.”

She commended Vision Africa Radio under the leadership of Archbishop Onuoha for sustaining the initiative for 15 consecutive editions, and the Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for its collaboration in ensuring the continued success of the programme.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (retd), represented by a former director in the West African Examinations Council, urged the students to cultivate a reading culture and commended Vision Africa Radio for its consistency in organising the competition.