Makinde Makes U-Turn, Says FG Security Operatives Have Been in Oyo for Weeks

Makinde Makes U-Turn, Says FG Security Operatives Have Been in Oyo for Weeks
The governor’s remarks come days after he expressed concerns over the constitutional limitations placed on governors
Fatai Hassan said teachers across the state were living in fear

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that federal security operatives have been working in the state for the past two weeks to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that Makinde made the revelation on Tuesday while addressing a peaceful protest organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

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According to the governor, security personnel deployed by the Federal Government have been fully engaged in rescue operations, with continuous coordination between state authorities and security agencies.

“I’ve heard from the Federal Government. Security operatives have been here for the past two weeks. They spent their salaries here. I have been meeting with them morning and night, sometimes three or four times in a day,” Makinde said.

The governor’s remarks come days after he expressed concerns over the constitutional limitations placed on governors regarding control of security agencies. However, he stressed that the current situation requires collaboration rather than blame.

“This is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blame. It is not the time to play politics,” he stated.

“This is not the time for us to say it is the President that should have handled this, or it is the Governor, or the local government. This is a time to pull together as one.”

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Makinde said the incident was particularly painful to him, recalling that his late father once worked as a primary school teacher in a community close to where the abduction occurred.

He described the kidnappers as ruthless criminals and appealed to residents not to engage in actions capable of undermining ongoing rescue efforts.

“We are not dealing with normal human beings. Just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? These are not normal people,” he said.

The governor assured teachers, students and residents that the government was doing everything possible to secure the victims’ freedom.

“I can give you the assurance that our children and their teachers, by the grace of God, will return safely,” he added.

Earlier, Oyo State NUT Chairman, Fatai Hassan, said teachers across the state were living in fear following the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

According to him, 39 students and seven teachers were abducted from four schools, while a teacher, Joel Adesanya, was killed during the attack.

“We are here to charge His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, to please do more in fast-tracking the quick release of these people in captivity,” Hassan said.

He added that teachers would continue to stay away from classrooms pending the release of the victims.

Also speaking, Oyo State NLC Chairman, Kayode Martins, warned that insecurity had become a threat to all Nigerians, while NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, said students nationwide had mobilised in solidarity with the abducted pupils and teachers.