Di National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and Chief of Staff to di President, Femi Gbajabiamila, don visit Ogbomoso, Oyo State on Saturday. Dem go meet community leaders and families of di teachers and pupils wey dem kidnap from school for Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
Di federal government delegation talk with community leaders and relatives of di victims as efforts dey continue to secure di release of those still dey captivity. Dis high-level visit come as public concern dey grow over di incident, wey don cause protests and calls for stronger security to protect schools and rural communities across Oyo State.
Also on Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde visit Ogbomoso and reassure residents say im administration go continue to use every available effort to secure safe return of di abducted teachers and pupils. Di governor appeal for patience, understanding, and cooperation, urging residents not to blame federal or state government but to unite behind efforts to rescue di victims.
Makinde sympathize with affected families and di wider community, describing di incident as unprecedented, especially because e involve abduction of underage children. E say e share for di pain and grief of di victims’ families, adding say regardless of any grievances di abductors fit claim, dia actions remain cruel, unacceptable, and inhumane.
Di governor also recall sacrifices made by operatives of Western Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, some of whom don lose dia lives while tackling security challenges across di state. E disclose say since di abduction occur, e don dey hold security meetings twice daily and dey work closely with relevant security agencies to facilitate safe return of di victims.
Makinde further commend security commanders for dia dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property for di state and call on residents to continue praying for success of ongoing rescue efforts. “Don’t cry. I don come here today because of you. You install dis government. I wan let you know say dis government dey responsible to you. By di grace of God and your cooperation, we go bring back our children and di teachers,” Makinde say.
E add: “Dis no be di time to start trading blame on who suppose dey responsible for di release of dese children between di state and federal government. Dis na just di time to come together to rescue our children and dia teachers. I feel your pain but get trust for us.”
Di armed men invade Ahoro-Esinle axis of Oriire Local Government Area for Oyo State on May 16, 2026, attacking school communities and whisking away pupils and teachers. Security sources confirm say dozens of children and several teachers dey taken into captivity. More than two weeks after di incident, di abducted pupils and teachers remain for captivity, despite ongoing search-and-rescue operations and rising public protests across Oyo State.
Di Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) don issue 24-hour ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding immediate rescue of di schoolchildren and teachers. Di group warn say failure to secure dia release within di deadline go amount to grave violation of di government’s constitutional duty to protect lives and property.
For statement signed on Saturday by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, di group say e dey alarmed by what e describe as prolonged silence and limited success for efforts to free di victims. “E dey sad say President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dey shown during di last Sallah holiday enjoying di religious ceremony with im equally happy grandchildren, but e dey timely to remind di President say di Oyo State children held for bondage na our own children and kinsmen,” di group state.
HURIWA say every additional day di victims spend for captivity dey represent deepening national tragedy and further indictment of Nigeria’s security architecture. Di organisation call on President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of di Armed Forces, to ensure safe and immediate release of all abducted pupils and teachers within 24 hours. Di group anchor dia demand on Section 14(2)(b) of di 1999 Constitution, wey place di security and welfare of citizens at di core of governance.
HURIWA also express support for ongoing protests for Ibadan by teachers, parents, and civil society organisations, describing di demonstrations as justified reaction to unacceptable situation. However, e criticise what e call weak response from organised labour and student unions, including di Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and di Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), insisting dem suppose don mount stronger nationwide pressure.
Di abduction of schoolchildren na attack on education and di future of Nigeria, HURIWA say, urging civil society organisations, religious leaders, and professional bodies to intensify peaceful advocacy until di victims dey freed. Di group further warn against what e describe as normalisation of mass abductions for di country, saying Nigeria must not become desensitised to recurring attacks on schools.
