President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised security team to intensify efforts to rescue pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The directive came as a high-level Federal Government delegation visited the affected Esiele and Yawota communities on Sunday to reassure residents of ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims.
The delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Speaking during the visit, Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu remained deeply concerned about the abduction and had directed security agencies to deploy all necessary resources toward ensuring the safe return of the captives.
He assured community leaders, parents and residents that the Federal Government would not relent until the victims were reunited with their families.
According to him, the rescue operation would be guided by intelligence and executed with utmost caution to safeguard the lives of those in captivity.
“The President is disturbed by what has happened and is committed to bringing the children and their teachers back safely. Every necessary support has been provided to the security agencies to achieve this objective,” he said.
Gbajabiamila also responded to appeals from community members who urged security agencies to avoid actions that could endanger the hostages.
He explained that both military and non-military strategies were being carefully coordinated to ensure a successful outcome.
The delegation further informed local leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
As part of efforts to strengthen security around vulnerable communities, the Federal Government approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in partnership with the Oyo State Government.
The visitors also paid a condolence visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, where they sympathised with the monarch and residents over the tragic incident.
The delegation later visited the family of Michael Oyedokun, the teacher killed during the attack, conveying the President’s condolences to his widow and children and assuring them of government support.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when heavily armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota axis of Oriire Local Government Area.
Several pupils and teachers were taken away during the attack, which also claimed the life of Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher.
A commercial motorcyclist was reportedly killed during the incident, while a security operative lost his life after encountering improvised explosive devices allegedly planted by the kidnappers during rescue efforts.
The affected communities are located near a vast forest corridor believed to have provided cover for the abductors since the attack.
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