By: Tunji Okunlola
President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue team following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The measures were announced during a visit by a high-powered Federal Government delegation to the Esiele and Yawota communities, where armed men raided Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026, carting away pupils and teachers.
The delegation, which included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, conveyed the President’s concern over the incident and reassured residents of his administration’s commitment to securing the safe return of the victims.
The 1,000 forest guards will be recruited in partnership with the Oyo State Government as part of efforts to strengthen security in the affected communities and surrounding forests. A specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities has also been directed to intensify ongoing operations.
Addressing residents in English and Yoruba, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said Tinubu’s decision to dispatch top security officials to the affected communities reflected the administration’s determination to deploy every available resource. He added that security agencies would rely on intelligence-driven strategies to safeguard the lives of the victims, responding to appeals from parents and community leaders urging caution in the rescue mission.
The delegation also paid a condolence visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, before calling on Mrs Mary Oyedokun, widow of a schoolteacher killed during the attack, and her two children.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who separately visited families of the abducted pupils and teachers, appealed for unity across all tiers of government, warning against blame-trading at a moment that demanded collective action.
“This is not the time to trade blame, whether it is the federal government, the state government or local government. This is the time to come together and rescue our children and their teachers,” he said.
The governor also shed light on the human cost of the state’s security operations, revealing that more than 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network known as Amotekun have died fighting insecurity in Oyo State.
“People may not know the sacrifices they make. They go into dangerous situations and many do not return,” Makinde said, calling on God to help end the bloodshed.
The governor reiterated his long-standing support for the creation of state police, describing Amotekun as a stop-gap measure introduced after efforts to secure a constitutional framework for state policing stalled.
“We wanted state police. Since it was not forthcoming, we created Amotekun as a stop-gap measure to support existing security structures,” he said, urging the Federal Government to pursue localised policing solutions and stronger community participation.
Tags: #President Bola Ahmed Tinubu #Oyo abduction #Governor Seyi Makinde