The Oyo State Government has assured residents of Oriire Local Government Area that all pupils and staff abducted during Friday’s deadly school attack will be rescued, as security operatives intensify efforts to track down the kidnappers hiding in forest areas.
The assurance was given by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal, during a condolence and assessment visit to Yawota and Esiele communities, where armed men stormed schools and abducted several pupils and teachers in one of the most disturbing attacks on schools in the South-West region in recent years.
Lawal, who led a delegation of government officials to the affected communities on Sunday, said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde had responded swiftly to the incident by mobilising security agencies and providing support for ongoing rescue operations.
According to him, the exact number of abducted persons had not yet been confirmed, warning against relying on unverified figures circulating on social media and other platforms.
“Until we do proper verification, we cannot put a figure to those abducted. For now, figures circulating in the media cannot be taken as correct,” the deputy governor said.
He disclosed that security personnel had already engaged some of the kidnappers in the forest, leading to the killing of at least three suspected attackers during the operation.
“We have pacified the residents and given assurances that those abducted will be rescued and brought back,” Lawal added after visiting injured victims receiving treatment at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and Bowen University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso.
The attack, which occurred on Friday morning, reportedly targeted schools in Esiele and Yawota communities around the Ahorodada axis, where gunmen invaded educational facilities and whisked away pupils and staff members.
Among the affected schools were LA Basic School, Ahoro Esiele, Community High School, and a private primary school within the area.
The deputy governor noted that the incident had further exposed the growing security threat around communities located close to forest reserves, stressing that government would strengthen surveillance and security architecture in vulnerable areas across the state.
He listed Saki West, Saki East, Irepo, Iseyin, Ibarapa, Igbeti, and Oriire as areas currently receiving heightened security attention due to their proximity to forest corridors often exploited by criminal elements.
Lawal urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and unfamiliar individuals within their communities.
“We are asking residents to remain vigilant. If you notice any unusual movement, report it to security agencies so that prompt action can be taken,” he stated.
The deputy governor also confirmed that one person and a teacher lost their lives during the attack, describing the development as painful and unacceptable.
He reiterated that the Oyo State Government would not surrender any part of the state to criminal groups, insisting that every necessary measure was being taken to restore confidence and ensure public safety.
“Oyo State is not giving an inch for banditry and criminality. The government is doing everything required to ensure adequate security so that citizens can live in peace,” Lawal declared.
The government delegation included the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Chairman of the Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, Hon. Muftau Open Salawu; and the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Sunday Odukoya.
The latest attack has continued to generate outrage and concern among Nigerians, especially education stakeholders, who fear that increasing attacks on schools could worsen insecurity and discourage learning in vulnerable rural communities.
Parents in the affected communities have continued to plead with authorities to ensure the safe return of the abducted children, many of whom were reportedly taken into surrounding forests during the attack.
