ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday assured residents that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in the state will be safely rescued, stating that government authorities are intensifying efforts to secure their release.
Makinde gave the assurance while speaking with social media influencer VeryDarkMan and other protesters at the Oyo State Government House, in a video circulating.
The governor expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that the victims who include nursery and primary school pupils had been held in captivity for over one month.
“I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I’m also distressed with what has happened to our children. It has been one month, just one month and one day already,” Makinde said.
He explained that he could not disclose operational details due to the sensitivity of the ongoing security efforts, but stressed that measures were underway to ensure the victims’ safe return.
“Because of the nature of the security situation that is involved, I cannot divulge a lot of information,” he stated.
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Makinde described the incident as unprecedented, saying it was the first time nursery and primary school children had been abducted in such circumstances in Nigeria.
“These are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves. So, the operation to rescue them is a special type of operation,” he said.
He also assured that efforts were being made to avoid casualties during the rescue mission, insisting that the priority was the safe return of all victims.
“I don’t want to lose any of those children. I give you the assurance that I, as the governor, by God’s grace, will bring out those children,” he added.
The governor further acknowledged that the state was in communication with the abductors, describing it as an exceptional but necessary step under the circumstances.
He said such engagement does not imply weakness, but reflects the urgency of securing the children alive.
Makinde added that once the victims are rescued, the government would implement stronger measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.