School kidnap: Tinubu dispatches Ribadu, Gbajabiamila to Oyo communities

A presidential delegation has arrived in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, ahead of a visit to communities affected by the abduction of 46 pupils and teachers by armed men on May 15. Daily Trust reports that concerns continue to mount over the safety of the victims who were abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist […]

A presidential delegation has arrived in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, ahead of a visit to communities affected by the abduction of 46 pupils and teachers by armed men on May 15.

Daily Trust reports that concerns continue to mount over the safety of the victims who were abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The attackers reportedly stormed the schools on motorcycles, abducted dozens of pupils and teachers, and fled into a forest area around the Oriire axis and the Old Oyo National Park.

Four motorcycles were also reportedly taken from residents during the operation.

Among those abducted is a two-year-old pupil of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Christianah Akanbi. A teacher was also killed during the attack.

Recounting the incident, a teacher at Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Elizabeth Olagoke, said: “The attackers came around 8 a.m. We had all started the morning session. They came on six motorcycles, and there were two passengers on each bike.”

Two days after the incident, separate videos emerged showing the abducted principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, Rachael Alamu, and a nursing mother appealing for help.

Tension in the affected communities intensified following reports that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed while in captivity. The development has heightened fears among residents and relatives of the victims, prompting renewed calls for intensified rescue efforts.

The reported killing sparked outrage among parents, community leaders, civil society groups and religious organisations, many of whom have urged security agencies to redouble efforts to secure the release of those still being held.

On Saturday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde visited the affected communities and assured families of the victims that efforts were ongoing to secure their release.

“Please believe in me. I have not been sleeping well myself. Together with the service commanders, we meet twice every day, once in the morning and once at night, sometimes until 10 or 11 p.m.,” the governor said.

On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to the area.

The delegation is led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and includes the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu; the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe; and the President’s Special Adviser on Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

The team is expected to visit the affected communities and engage with local stakeholders as part of ongoing efforts to address the situation.

In a post on X, Sunday Dare said President Tinubu had already activated coordinated measures aimed at securing the release of the victims and ensuring those responsible for the attack are apprehended.

“A powerful presidential delegation just arrived in Ogbomoso en route to the villages of Esiele and Yawota, where armed men simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary schools, seizing about 46 pupils and teachers,” Dare wrote.

He added that the President had directed security agencies to intensify rescue operations and bring the perpetrators to justice.