President Tinubu assures rescue of victims abducted in Oyo State school attack, condemns reported killing of a teacher, and backs renewed push for state police.
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that security agencies are intensifying efforts to secure the release of victims abducted during an attack on schools in Oyo State, while condemning the reported killing of one of the kidnapped teachers.
The assurance followed the attack by armed bandits on the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where staff, students, and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School were abducted last Friday.
According to a State House statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, security operatives are working round the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack and their alleged collaborators.
Reacting to the incident, President Tinubu described the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers as “barbaric” and expressed sympathy to the government and people of Oyo State.
“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims,” the President said.
The President assured that the Federal Government was collaborating closely with the Oyo State Government as part of ongoing efforts connected to the Oyo kidnapping rescue operation.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims,” he stated.
President Tinubu also commended the Inspector-General of Police and security operatives in Oyo and Kwara states for what he described as their swift intervention following the attack.
“I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims,” he added.
According to the President, the Inspector-General of Police is personally supervising the technology-driven security operation aimed at securing a breakthrough in the ongoing Oyo kidnapping rescue efforts.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President further stated that the increasing wave of kidnappings across parts of the country reinforces the need for the establishment of state police structures to improve security coverage in underserved areas.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” the President stated.
The attack has heightened concerns over school security and rural safety in parts of the country, with many residents calling for stronger protection measures and faster response mechanisms against criminal gangs.
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