Fresh details have emerged over the shocking abduction of pupils, teachers and school administrators in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as Professor Wole Alamu, husband of kidnapped school principal Mrs Folawe Alamu, confirmed that intensive rescue efforts are currently ongoing behind the scenes.
Speaking during a telephone interview with Eagle 102.5 FM on Wednesday, Professor Alamu appealed to Nigerians to avoid speculations and unnecessary public commentary that could compromise the ongoing operations being carried out by security agencies.
According to him, authorities are working tirelessly to secure the safe release of all victims abducted during the coordinated attack on schools in the Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area.
“We are going to grant interview, but not now. The work is seriously being done underneath. Anything you say now may jeopardise the rescue operations,” he stated.
The university lecturer also praised Seyi Makinde and security operatives for what he described as a determined and coordinated response since the tragic incident occurred.
The abduction has continued to generate widespread concern across Nigeria following reports that armed hoodlums invaded multiple schools within the community, killing at least one teacher and abducting several students, teachers and school administrators.
Schools reportedly affected during the attack include Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, as well as L.A Primary School in the Oriire axis of Oyo State.
Among those kidnapped was the principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs Folawe Alamu, whose emotional plea for help went viral after a disturbing video surfaced online. In the footage, the visibly distressed principal appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies, the Christian Association of Nigeria and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and rescue them from captivity.
According to reports, the victims have remained in the custody of their abductors since the attack occurred.
The Oyo State Police Command had earlier confirmed that an assistant headmaster identified as Mr Adesiyan and an okada rider lost their lives during the attack, further deepening fears over worsening insecurity in parts of the state.
In response to the incident, security agencies have reportedly intensified operations across the affected communities and nearby forest corridors believed to be serving as hideouts for the kidnappers.
Sources within the security architecture disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has personally arrived in Oyo State to supervise a technology-driven rescue operation. The operation is said to involve the deployment of the police Intelligence Response Team and other specialised tactical units.
Governor Makinde also revealed that the state government had concluded arrangements to deploy two newly acquired surveillance aircraft to provide aerial intelligence over forests and difficult terrains suspected to be harbouring the armed bandits.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity while ensuring that all victims are rescued safely.
Security agencies further confirmed that some suspects had already been arrested for allegedly collaborating with the kidnappers. The suspects were accused of acting as informants and helping the criminals navigate routes around the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding areas.
Authorities believe the arrests could provide useful intelligence capable of accelerating ongoing rescue efforts.
Despite mounting pressure from concerned citizens and families of victims, the Oyo State Government maintained that while it remained open to dialogue that could facilitate the release of the abductees, it would not sponsor or finance ransom payments.
Reacting to the development, Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killing of one of the abducted teachers, describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President assured Nigerians that security agencies were working round the clock to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“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,” the statement read.
President Tinubu also used the opportunity to renew calls for the establishment of state police across Nigeria, stressing that decentralised policing would strengthen security operations, especially in underserved rural communities frequently targeted by criminal gangs and bandits.
The incident has once again reignited national conversations around insecurity, school safety and the urgent need for stronger intelligence gathering and rapid response systems to protect students and educational institutions across the country.
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