ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday called for stronger collaboration between the state government and the Nigeria Police Force in ongoing efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from Yawota and Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
He made the appeal while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, Olatoye Fayoade, who paid a working visit to his office in Ibadan, the state capital.
The visit followed a directive by the Inspector-General of Police mandating senior officers to engage stakeholders and assess security challenges nationwide.
The pupils and teachers were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area on Friday, May 15, 2026.
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Makinde described the abduction as one of the most distressing incidents the state has faced in recent times, adding that the government remains committed to working with federal security agencies until the victims are rescued.
He said, “The painful reality that the abducted children and their teachers had remained in captivity for a month underpinned the need for sustained cooperation among security institutions and governments at all levels.
“Today marks exactly one month since the children and their teachers were abducted. It has been a traumatic and depressing situation for us as a government and for the people of Oyo.
“We are here to continue to cooperate with the federal authorities, especially the Nigerian Police Force, to solve this problem,” the governor said.
Makinde acknowledged the operational challenges facing security agencies, including limited resources and the vast geographical coverage required for surveillance.
He noted that the state’s size presents unique security demands, adding that the government appreciates the efforts of security personnel despite constraints.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to provide additional support where necessary and urged the visiting DIG to communicate the state’s appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, while also highlighting areas requiring further intervention.
“Whatever we can do as a government, we are ready to do. If there are areas where you think we need to do more to better support officers and men of the command, we are prepared to act,” he said.
Makinde also commended the establishment of the Police Violent Crimes Unit by the Inspector-General of Police, describing it as a positive step that is already yielding results in the state.
Earlier, Fayoade assured the governor that the police remain fully committed to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, stressing that officers involved in the operation would not relent until the victims are safely reunited with their families.
He conveyed the Inspector-General’s goodwill message to the governor and expressed sympathy over the incident, while commending Makinde’s support for security agencies in the state.
Fayoade said the visit was aimed at assessing security challenges, identifying operational concerns, and relaying findings to the Inspector-General for necessary action.
He added that security measures had been strengthened across Oyo State to prevent further criminal activity and safeguard lives and property.
The DIG assured residents that police leadership had directed intensified efforts to protect critical infrastructure and maintain peace, pledging that incidents such as the Oriire school abduction would not recur.
He also urged continued cooperation from stakeholders to sustain the state’s reputation as one of the more peaceful regions in the country.
In a related development, a Methodist Archbishop and proprietor of Vision Africa Radio, Umuahia, Archbishop Sunday Onuoha, has called on the Federal Government to ensure the rescue of abducted pupils in Oyo State.
He made the appeal on Monday during the 14th edition and 2025/2026 school debate held in Umuahia, where Gradriel International School emerged winner and University Demonstration School came second.
Onuoha said, “General Ihejirika has been such a wonderful friend through the years who fought gallantly to save Nigeria from collapsing.
“Nigeria owes him a lot of appreciation and apology. And if we have men and women like General Ihejirika, gunmen will not come to our school to abduct our sons and daughters who are in school.
“We want to use this opportunity, and we are pleading with the government and people in authority to release the abducted children. We are pleading with our military, with our police, with our security agencies to protect our schools.”
The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, said the state government remains committed to improving education through infrastructure development and recruitment of qualified teachers.
She commended Vision Africa Radio for sustaining the programme for 15 consecutive editions and praised the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for its continued support.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.), represented by a former WAEC director, urged students to develop strong reading habits while commending the organisers for consistency in promoting academic excellence.