President Bola Tinubu has pledged that all victims abducted during the attack on schools in Oyo State will be rescued, while strongly condemning the reported killing of one of the kidnapped teachers.
The statement was issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The attack occurred on Friday when armed men invaded Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting pupils, students, and staff from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
Security agencies have since intensified operations aimed at rescuing the victims and tracking down the attackers, as well as individuals allegedly assisting them within the community.
Reacting to the incident and reports of a teacher’s death, Bola Tinubu described the act as cruel and expressed sympathy to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the state government, and families affected by the attack.
“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.”
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.”
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
He also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, saying the increasing wave of kidnappings makes it necessary to improve security coverage in underserved areas and urging the National Assembly to speed up legislative action.
