Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has assured residents that the schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in the state will be rescued safely, saying his administration is doing everything possible to secure their release without loss of life.
The governor gave the assurance while addressing social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and other protesters who visited the Oyo State Government House to demand urgent action over the abduction.
In a video that circulated on Tuesday, Makinde expressed deep concern over the fate of the victims, stating that he understood the pain and anxiety being experienced by their families because he is also a parent.
According to him, the abduction has weighed heavily on him since it occurred, especially because the victims include very young children.
“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,” the governor said.
Makinde explained that the sensitive nature of the rescue operation prevented him from revealing specific details about the efforts being made by security agencies and the state government.
He said disclosing operational strategies to the public could jeopardise the mission and endanger the lives of those being held captive.
“Because of the nature of the security situation that is involved, I cannot divulge a lot of information,” he stated.
The governor described the incident as one of the most disturbing cases of kidnapping in recent Nigerian history, noting that the victims were nursery and primary school pupils who were too young to fend for themselves.
He said the rescue mission required special handling because of the age and vulnerability of the children involved.
“This is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that they have abducted nursery and primary school children. 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.
Makinde assured parents and residents that the safety of the children remained the government’s top priority.
According to him, every decision being taken by the authorities is guided by the need to ensure that all the victims return home alive.
“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 said.
The governor also revealed that the government had established communication with the abductors, describing it as an extraordinary step made necessary by the circumstances surrounding the case.
He admitted that negotiating with criminal groups raises difficult moral and political questions, but insisted that saving the lives of innocent children must come first.
“If governments are negotiating with bandits, it means portraying great sovereignty to the bandits. In this special situation, for those children alive, we have to bear the burden,” Makinde stated.
He further assured residents that lessons from the incident would lead to stronger measures to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
“Once the children are out, I give you the assurance that it will not occur again,” he added.
The governor’s remarks came amid growing public concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims and increasing calls for more decisive action.
The visit by VeryDarkMan and other protesters to the Government House reflected the frustration and anxiety among many Nigerians, especially parents, who fear that schools are becoming targets for criminal groups.
The abduction of schoolchildren has remained one of Nigeria’s most troubling security challenges over the past decade.
Several states in northern Nigeria have witnessed mass kidnappings of students from boarding schools, with some victims spending weeks or months in captivity before regaining freedom.
The incidents have forced the closure of schools in some communities and discouraged parents from sending their children to school, particularly in rural areas.
However, Makinde noted that the Oyo case stood out because of the age of the victims.
According to him, nursery and primary school pupils are among the most vulnerable members of society and require special protection.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the wider insecurity challenges facing Nigeria.
From insurgency in the North-East to banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and parts of the North-Central region, criminal activities continue to stretch the country’s security architecture.
Southern states, which were previously considered relatively safer from such attacks, have also recorded increasing cases of kidnappings in recent years.
In Oyo State, residents have urged the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security around schools and increase collaboration between local communities and security agencies.
Many parents have also called for regular security assessments of schools and better emergency response mechanisms.
Despite the public pressure, Makinde appealed for patience and understanding, insisting that the rescue operation must be handled carefully to avoid tragic consequences.
For the families of the abducted pupils and teachers, each passing day has brought renewed fear and uncertainty.
Yet the governor’s assurance has offered a ray of hope that the victims will soon return safely to their loved ones.
As the rescue efforts continue behind the scenes, residents of Oyo State and Nigerians across the country remain united in prayer and expectation that the abducted children and their teachers will be brought home unharmed.