President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security and improve surveillance in forested areas following recent abductions in the state.
The President also ordered the deployment of a specialised security unit to intensify rescue operations aimed at securing the release of pupils and teachers kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The directive was conveyed during a visit by a Federal Government delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities, where gunmen abducted pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15.
Led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the delegation reassured residents of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of the victims, noting that the President was deeply concerned about the incident.
According to the team, the approval for forest guard recruitment will be carried out in partnership with the Oyo State Government to boost local security capacity and improve monitoring of vulnerable areas.
Tinubu also directed the deployment of a specialised rescue squad with enhanced operational capabilities to support ongoing intelligence-driven efforts to locate and free the abducted pupils and teachers.
Gbajabiamila, while addressing community members, said the President had instructed security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
“Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he said, adding that the operation would be carefully coordinated and intelligence-led.
The delegation included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, a representative of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, IGP Tunji Disu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, and Presidential Media Adviser Sunday Dare.
Community leaders also requested the establishment of a military base in the area, a request the delegation said would be forwarded to the President for consideration.
The officials later visited the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, and also met the family of a teacher who died during the incident, where they conveyed the President’s condolences and assured them of government support.
