Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area remain within the broader corridor of the Old Oyo National Park, as security agencies intensify efforts to secure their release more than three weeks after the incident.
The governor made the revelation in a public update on the ongoing rescue operation, assuring residents and families of the victims that security forces have not relented in their efforts to bring the abducted pupils and teachers home safely. He acknowledged the growing anxiety and anguish among affected communities, describing the situation as deeply painful for the state government and the families involved.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly kidnapped dozens of pupils and teachers before fleeing into the vast forested region around the Old Oyo National Park.
Earlier reports from the state government confirmed that seven teachers, seven secondary school students, and 18 primary school pupils were taken during the coordinated attacks. The abduction sparked widespread outrage across Oyo State and prompted protests by teachers, students, labour unions, and community groups demanding urgent government action.
Makinde stated that intelligence gathered by security agencies indicates that the captives have not been moved out of the wider national park axis, providing hope that ongoing search-and-rescue operations could yield positive results. He emphasized that the victims remain at the center of government efforts and that multiple security agencies are working together to ensure their safe return.
The governor has repeatedly assured residents that the Federal Government, security services, and the Oyo State Government are coordinating closely on the rescue mission. According to him, meetings with federal security officials have been held regularly as authorities deploy intelligence and operational resources to locate the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
In support of the operation, the Nigerian Air Force recently deployed a surveillance aircraft to provide aerial intelligence and assist ground forces searching the forest area where the victims are believed to be held. The state government has also established a dedicated operational center to coordinate rescue activities.
The abduction has had far-reaching consequences for education in the state. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) declared an indefinite strike over the continued captivity of the pupils and teachers, citing concerns about the safety of educators and students across affected communities.
Tragically, the crisis has already claimed lives. One of the abducted teachers was reportedly killed by the kidnappers, a development that further heightened public concern and intensified calls for stronger security measures in vulnerable rural communities.
Despite the prolonged ordeal, Makinde reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing the release of all remaining captives. He appealed for patience and cooperation from the public, stressing that rescue operations involving hostages require careful planning and intelligence-driven actions to avoid endangering the lives of those in captivity.
As families continue to await the return of their loved ones, the incident has reignited national conversations about school security, rural policing, and the growing threat posed by armed criminal groups operating in forested regions across the country.
