Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday reassured residents that security agencies and government authorities are working tirelessly to secure the safe release of pupils and teachers abducted from Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
He said efforts to rescue the victims have intensified with critical support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The governor gave the assurance while receiving a high-powered delegation from the Nigerian Air Force led by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar A. Suleh, during a courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Makinde acknowledged the growing anxiety among residents over the abduction but appealed for patience, stressing that ongoing security operations are being guided by intelligence and real-time surveillance aimed at ensuring the victims are rescued unharmed.
According to him, the state government has received invaluable support from the Nigerian Air Force since the incident occurred, particularly through aerial surveillance operations that have enhanced intelligence gathering and provided security operatives with crucial information for the rescue mission.
“We are distressed by the situation, but we are also encouraged by the level of support we have received from the Nigerian Air Force.
“The surveillance support has provided us with deeper insight into what we are dealing with and has strengthened ongoing efforts to secure the safe return of the abducted children and their teachers,” the governor said.
Makinde revealed that although the two Diamond-42 surveillance aircraft procured by the Oyo State Government are currently undergoing assembly at the Nigerian Air Force facility in Lagos, the Air Force immediately deployed one of its own Diamond-42 aircraft to support surveillance and search operations following the abduction.
The governor explained that the decision to acquire the surveillance aircraft was part of his administration’s long-term security strategy aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering capabilities in Oyo State and neighbouring states.
He noted that the acquisition followed extensive consultations with the Nigerian Air Force to ensure that the chosen platform would be compatible with available maintenance facilities, pilot training programmes and technical support structures within the country.
“We procured the aircraft because we recognised the growing security challenges and the need for sub-national governments to complement federal security efforts.
“The Air Force is stretched across the country due to multiple security challenges, and we believed that investing in surveillance capability would help make Oyo State safer and also support broader regional security operations,” Makinde stated.
The governor added that the aircraft would soon be deployed after assembly and certification processes are completed, while discussions were already underway for a long-term partnership with the Nigerian Air Force on maintenance and personnel training.
Beyond the ongoing rescue operation, Makinde commended officers and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force in Ibadan for maintaining cordial relations with host communities and contributing significantly to security efforts within the state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the military and fulfilling existing commitments to the Air Force, including infrastructure projects linked to its operations in the state.
Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Suleh conveyed the apologies of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kani Aneke, who was unable to personally lead the delegation due to pressing national assignments.
The AOC expressed sympathy with the Oyo State Government and the affected families over the abduction, describing kidnapping as a major national security concern that requires collective action and sustained security collaboration.
He assured Governor Makinde that the Nigerian Air Force remained fully committed to supporting efforts aimed at resolving the situation and securing the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Suleh also commended the governor for his consistent support to Air Force operations and infrastructure development within Oyo State, citing projects such as the perimeter fencing of the Air Force School at Iyana Offa, the dualisation of the Air Force Base Road in Ajia, and the allocation of land for post-service housing and agricultural schemes.
The delegation included the Group Managing Director of Nigerian Air Force Investments Limited, Air Vice Marshal Ibitayo Victor Ajiboye, and the Commander of the Air Force Station, Ibadan, Air Commodore D.U. Njoku, among other senior officers.
Also present at the meeting were top government officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi, Special Adviser on Security Abayomi Fagbenro, Executive Adviser on Security Coordination Major General Lukman Tokunbo Omoniyi (retd), Executive Assistant on Security CP Sunday Odukoya (retd), and Commandant of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps, Colonel Bisiriyu Olayinka Olayanju (retd).