By: Sunday Ameh
Efforts to secure the release of abducted pupils, teachers, and school administrators in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are progressing, according to Professor Wole Alamu, husband of the kidnapped principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, Mrs Folawe Alamu.
Professor Alamu disclosed this during a telephone interview with Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, amid growing public concern over the abduction incident that has continued to attract national attention.
The university don, however, urged the public to exercise caution in discussing ongoing rescue operations, warning that premature disclosure of sensitive information could undermine efforts by security agencies.
“We are going to grant interviews, but not now. The work is seriously being done underneath. Anything you say now may jeopardise the rescue operations,” he said.
He commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, alongside security operatives, for what he described as coordinated and relentless efforts aimed at ensuring the safe return of the victims.
His remarks come amid intensified security operations following the killing of a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, and the abduction of dozens of pupils, students, and teachers from schools in the Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area.
A viral video that surfaced online had earlier shown the abducted principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, Mrs Folawe Alamu, emotionally appealing to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and facilitate their release.
In the video, the visibly distressed principal said the victims had remained in captivity since the attack.
The coordinated attack reportedly targeted Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A. Primary School, where armed hoodlums abducted several pupils, teachers, and school administrators.
The Oyo State Police Command had earlier confirmed that an assistant headmaster identified as Mr Adesiyan and an okada rider were killed during the incident.
Meanwhile, security operations have intensified across affected communities and surrounding forest corridors.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, is reported to have arrived in Oyo State to personally oversee a technology-driven rescue operation, including the deployment of the Police Intelligence Response Team.
Governor Makinde also disclosed that two newly acquired surveillance aircraft were being prepared to provide aerial intelligence over forests believed to be serving as hideouts for the kidnappers.
Security agencies further revealed that several suspects had been arrested for allegedly acting as informants and helping the abductors navigate routes within the Old Oyo National Park.
The Oyo State Government maintained that while dialogue remains an option to facilitate the victims’ release, it would not pay ransom.
Reacting to the development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killing of one of the abducted teachers, describing the act as barbaric.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President assured Nigerians that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.
President Tinubu also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to expedite legislative action toward its creation as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity across vulnerable communities.
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