Makinde assures abducted Ogbomoso schoolchildren, teachers will return safely
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, has assured parents of abducted schoolchildren and relatives of kidnapped teachers in the state that efforts are ongoing to secure their safe return.
Gunmen had recently attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all in Oriire LGA, Oyo state.
The Oyo police command said two people were killed during the attack on the schools. At least 45 schoolchildren, a principal and teachers were reportedly kidnapped during the incident.
Makinde spoke on Thursday at the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) primaries held in Ibadan, the state capital, ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor described the abduction incident as a difficult period for both him personally and the state, saying his administration remains committed to protecting lives and property.
“I once again gave the assurance to parents whose children have been abducted and family members of the teachers that they will return safely. This is a very tough period for me personally and for our state,” he said.
Makinde said security remains one of the major pillars of his administration, adding that governors in the south-west region established the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, to complement existing security agencies.
According to him, the security outfit became necessary due to the absence of state police in the country.
The governor noted that houses of assembly in all south-west states, except Lagos, passed laws that led to the establishment of Amotekun.
He, however, said the federal government had yet to permit the outfit to be properly armed despite its contributions to security operations across the region.
“Despite the fact that the federal government has not permitted Amotekun to be properly armed, they continue to support other security agencies to secure our states,” Makinde said.
The governor commended operatives of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps and other security agencies for their continued efforts in maintaining security in the state.
Earlier, Makinde congratulated candidates who emerged from the APM primaries conducted across elective positions in the state and for the presidency in compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable.
He specifically congratulated Bimbo Adekanmbi, who emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in the state.
