Popular Nigerian social commentator and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has intensified calls for the immediate rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, urging Governor Seyi Makinde to take more decisive action against the kidnappers.
In a strongly worded reaction to the ongoing crisis, VeryDarkMan declared that he was prepared to personally venture into the forests where the victims are believed to be held if it would help secure their freedom.
Expressing frustration over the prolonged captivity of the victims, the activist stated that extraordinary measures may now be necessary to bring the abducted pupils and teachers home safely. He argued that the situation had reached a critical point and that authorities should prioritize the rescue operation above all else.
According to reports, the abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked communities in Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping dozens of pupils and teachers. The incident sparked widespread outrage across Oyo State and beyond, triggering protests by civil society groups, labour unions, students, and concerned residents demanding urgent government intervention.
VeryDarkMan, who has actively participated in campaigns calling for the victims’ release, reportedly challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to adopt a more aggressive rescue strategy. In his remarks, he suggested that the government should be willing to deploy every available resource to secure the hostages, even if such operations carried significant risks.
“I’m ready to enter the bush to rescue the schoolchildren. There would be collateral damage, but we don’t care,” he reportedly said while addressing supporters and concerned citizens demanding action over the kidnappings.
The statement reflects growing public frustration over the continued detention of the victims and the broader insecurity challenges facing parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde has repeatedly assured residents that his administration is working closely with security agencies to secure the safe return of the abducted children and teachers. During a visit to affected communities and meetings with the victims’ families, the governor pledged that the state government would employ every lawful means to ensure their release.
Makinde also appealed for patience and cooperation from residents, stressing that rescue operations involving large numbers of hostages require careful planning to avoid endangering innocent lives. He maintained that the government shares the pain of the affected families and remains fully committed to bringing the victims home safely.
The abduction has generated national concern, with teachers’ unions, student groups, and human rights organizations organizing protests in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State. Demonstrators have demanded stronger security measures around schools and rural communities while calling on both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to combat kidnapping and banditry.
As pressure mounts on authorities, the fate of the abducted pupils and teachers remains a major concern for residents, with many Nigerians hoping for a swift and safe resolution to the crisis.
The incident has once again reignited national conversations about school security, rural policing, and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to tackle the growing threat of kidnapping across the country.
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