- Makinde Reveals Whereabouts Of Abducted Pupils, Teachers
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Security agencies are pursuing all leads to secure their release.
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Governor urged residents to report suspicious activities and avoid rumours.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that pupils and teachers abducted from schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of Oriire Local Government Area are still believed to be within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Makinde made the revelation in his Newsletter No. 140 released on Friday, assuring residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ freedom, 27 days after the abduction.
The governor acknowledged the pain and anxiety being experienced by the families and communities affected by the incident, describing the prolonged captivity of the victims as deeply troubling.
“It is extremely difficult for me to even ask how you are doing. It has been 27 days since our children and teachers were forcefully taken from their schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of the Oriire Local Government Area.
“For 27 days, families have gone to bed without their loved ones. For 27 days, communities have lived with uncertainty. For 27 days, our children and teachers have remained in captivity,” Makinde said.
The governor admitted that repeated assurances of a safe return may have become difficult for affected families to believe because the victims are yet to regain their freedom.
“I know that many times I have said, ‘We will get them home safely.’ But I also know that having heard these words so often, without seeing that outcome yet, they may now sound hollow or empty. Please trust that they are not. We are doing everything within our power to bring them home safely,” he stated.
Makinde explained that operational details could not be made public for security reasons but assured residents that every available lead was being pursued.
“We cannot share the details of what we are doing, but you can rest assured that every single day, we continue to pursue every credible lead and take every lawful action available to us to secure their release,” he added.
Providing an update on the rescue efforts, the governor said intelligence reports indicated that the victims remain within the expansive Old Oyo National Park corridor.
“One thing I can say is that our security reports indicate that they remain within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis.
“This is a vast area that stretches across parts of 10 local government areas in our state, covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres,” he said.
Makinde noted that the size and terrain of the area have posed significant operational challenges for security personnel conducting rescue operations.
“I mention this not to discourage anyone, but to help us understand the scale of the challenge before us. This is not an issue affecting only Oriire Local Government Area. It is an issue that concerns all of us.
“The size and terrain of the area require patience, coordination and persistence. It also means that vigilance from members of the public remains extremely important,” the governor added.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the state’s emergency reporting channel.
“If you see anything suspicious, please call 615, the Oyo State Citizens Enquiry Number. The line is toll-free and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your report will be received and acted upon,” he said.
The governor also warned against the spread of rumours and unverified information, stressing that misinformation could jeopardise ongoing rescue efforts.
“Please rely on official channels for information. These are sensitive matters, and we must avoid anything that could jeopardise rescue efforts,” Makinde stated.
He appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies and praying for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
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