Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that his administration would not surrender to terror following the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
He said the Oyo state government is nevertheless willing to listen to the grievances of the abductors if such dialogue would aid the swift and safe return of the victims.
The governor made the declaration while briefing journalists in Ibadan on the security situation surrounding the abduction at a community secondary school in the area on Monday.
Recall that the governor had earlier on Sunday provided updates on the ongoing rescue efforts after a high-level security review meeting with security advisers and service commanders over the attack that occurred at Ahoro Esinle Community in Oriire Local Government Area.
Speaking, Makinde confirmed that seven students were conclusively established to have been abducted, noting that security operations to rescue the victims were still ongoing.
According to him, the situation remained “fluid and difficult,” as security operatives continued coordinated operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted students and teachers.
On whether the abductors had established communication with government or made demands, Makinde urged residents to support security efforts with timely intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remained critical in combating insecurity.
“If you see something strange, say something, and expect us to do something,” he said.
The governor, however, maintained a firm stance against criminality, insisting that the state would not bow to terror or intimidation.
“We will not give in to terror. We will do everything possible to ensure that our children and their teachers are returned safely,” he declared.
In an emotional reflection, Makinde lamented the worsening state of insecurity in the country, saying Nigerians had gradually drifted away from the era when communities protected one another.
Referencing the famous novel by late author Chinua Achebe, he said: “We once had a country where we were each other’s brother’s keeper.
“How did we descend to this point? These are not foreign people, it’s us against ourselves.”
The governor added that although government remained open to hearing the grievances of the abductors and addressing legitimate concerns within its constitutional powers, the release of the abducted students and teachers must not be delayed.
“So, whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen to them and address the ones we can address as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released immediately,” he said.
He appealed to the media and the public to exercise restraint and responsibility in reporting developments surrounding the incident, stressing that human lives were involved.
“This is not something sensational. It involves lives,” the governor said, adding that government would continue to provide verified updates through the operational centre established at the state police headquarters.
He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies had been positioned to coordinate information management and rescue operations, while insisting that certain operational details could not yet be made public due to the sensitive nature of the mission.
Speaking on concerns raised over the state government’s surveillance aircraft procurement project, Makinde clarified that the aircraft had already arrived in Nigeria and were currently at the Nigerian Air Force headquarters hangar in Lagos undergoing reassembly.
He explained that Chinese manufacturers handling the equipment arrived in the country a few days ago and were expected to complete installation and testing within two weeks.
The governor said the surveillance aircraft would become operational on or before the end of June, adding that the procurement was part of the state government’s strategic efforts to strengthen monitoring along the Oyo-Kwara border as well as the international border between Oyo State and the Republic of Benin.
According to him, the government initiated the surveillance project long before the current abduction incident, as part of proactive efforts to tackle emerging security threats.
“We didn’t procure the aircraft because of this particular incident, but we wanted to improve our security capability and border monitoring,” he stated.
Addressing residents of the affected communities, the governor assured them that the state government remained committed to protecting lives and property and restoring normalcy to the area.
He said every available resource was being deployed to ensure the safe and speedy return of the abducted children and teachers.
“My charge to the people is that government will continue to be alive to its responsibilities to ensure that we have a safe and secure environment where people can pursue their lawful endeavours,” he said.