Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed that seven teachers were abducted during an attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The governor disclosed this on Sunday while addressing journalists after a security meeting with service commanders and heads of security agencies in the state.
Makinde also revealed that an Islamic Studies teacher was killed during the incident.
According to him, security operatives have arrested six suspects within the community, alongside three other persons considered to be of interest in the ongoing investigation.
“The information available is that about six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them we believe are informants. Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested,” he said.
The governor stated that early intelligence reports indicated the attackers could be armed groups escaping military offensives in the North-West.
“With the pressure on the terrorists and the bandits in the North-West, they will keep moving southward,” Makinde said.
“But the problem that we have is when you have pressure in one place, we must be prepared on this side to either repel or neutralise any terrorists fleeing the pressure points.”
He added that the state government would not depend solely on military action to tackle the security threat.
Makinde explained that consultations had already begun with community leaders, elders and religious figures, including officials of the Baptist Convention, since one of the affected schools belongs to the church.
“We have decided that we will adopt not just a kinetic approach. We are engaging leaders, elders and religious leaders, especially at the Baptist Convention,” he said.
The governor further noted that authorities were still working to determine the exact number of pupils missing after the attack.
