Leading a high-powered federal delegation to traumatized Oyo communities, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila deploys a specialized rescue unit and weighs a new military base to curb rural banditry.
A high-powered Federal Government delegation on Sunday, May 31, 2026, visited the Esiele and Yawota agrarian communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, delivering a strong security response from the presidency.
The rapid deployment follows the May 15, 2026, mass abduction of several pupils and teachers from three local academic institutions: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
Conveying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deep personal concern over the incident, the delegation announced that the President has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 specialized forest guards in Oyo State. This deployment will be executed in close partnership with the state government to flush out criminal elements using local forest reserves as staging areas for kidnappings.
The elite delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the nation’s top security hierarchy: National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Tunji Disu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare.
Addressing emotional community members in both English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila noted that dispatching the country’s complete security leadership to the local government area underlines the administration’s resolve to safely recover the hostages.
Furthermore, community leaders and lawmakers were informed that their formal request for the establishment of a permanent military base in the axis has been fast-tracked to the President for operational consideration. In the interim, President Tinubu has deployed a specialized security unit equipped with advanced tracking capabilities to locate the kidnappers’ hideouts.
“Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. The operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims. Your pain and anxiety are understood. Part of our structural defense response includes the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to deny these criminals safe haven,” Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured.
The federal team also visited the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso land, HRM Kabiyesi Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to commiserate with the traditional institution over the breach.
Before returning to Abuja, the delegation met with Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, the widow of a school teacher killed during the initial assault, and her two children. Delivering the President’s personal condolences, Gbajabiamila presented immediate welfare support and pledged that the federal government will provide long-term care for the family.
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