ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde, has confirmed that seven teachers were abducted during the recent attack on schools in the Oriire area, while authorities are still verifying the number of missing pupils.
The governor disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists on the security situation following the invasion of the schools by suspected gunmen.
Makinde had earlier met with service commanders and heads of security agencies in the state to obtain updates on the incident.
He also revealed that an Islamic Studies teacher was killed during the attack, noting that security operatives had arrested six suspects within the community alongside three other persons of interest linked to the incident.
According to the governor, the attackers are suspected to be members of armed groups fleeing intensified military offensives against terrorists and bandits in the North-West.
“With the pressure on the terrorists and the bandits in the North-West, they will keep moving southward,” the governor said.
READ ALSO: No Official Report On Released Niger Students – CAN
Makinde stated that he had been in discussions with authorities in neighbouring states over the increasing security threat, warning that displaced terrorists could exploit areas with weak security structures.
“But the problem that we have is when you have pressure in one place, we must be prepared on this side to either repel or neutralise any terrorists fleeing the pressure points,” he stated.
The governor further said preliminary intelligence reports indicated that some of those arrested may have served as informants for the attackers within the affected communities.
“The information available is that about six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them we believe are informants. Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested,” Makinde added.
He stressed that the state government would combine security operations with community engagement, adding that consultations were ongoing with religious and community leaders, including officials of the Baptist Convention, since one of the affected schools belongs to the church.
“We have decided that we will adopt not just a kinetic approach. We are engaging leaders, elders and religious leaders, especially at the Baptist Convention,” he said.
Makinde appealed to residents to remain calm and assured families of the abducted victims that efforts were being intensified to secure their release.
“We are not taking this lightly. We will do everything within our means to resolve this quickly and bring our children back safely,” the governor assured.
Describing the situation as “very difficult and challenging,” the governor announced that the state government would begin daily press briefings to keep residents informed about rescue efforts and ongoing security operations.