Governor Seyi Makinde has assured residents of Oyo State that the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area will be rescued safely, insisting the state will not experience a tragedy similar to the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.
He gave the assurance on Tuesday while speaking with protesters led by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who gathered at his residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan over rising insecurity concerns.
The demonstration was triggered by recent kidnappings of schoolchildren and teachers in the state, prompting calls for urgent government action.
Makinde said his administration is fully committed to securing the victims’ release and is working closely with security agencies to ensure their safe return.
He acknowledged that the rescue operation has come at a cost, including the loss of security personnel, but stressed that efforts are ongoing and carefully managed to avoid further casualties.
The governor also confirmed that government is in contact with the abductors due to the sensitive nature of the situation, while maintaining that there is no intelligence suggesting the victims have been killed.
He praised the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully and assured them that lessons would be learned to strengthen security and prevent future occurrences.
“Let me make it very, very clear, Oyo State is not Chibok and we will not be Chibok,” he said.
“We have lost men, even soldiers and officers, and I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago,” he added.
“If you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out? I will do it,” he stated.
“If we want those children alive, we have to bend backwards,” he said.
