President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a high-level delegation to Oyo State following the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
The delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, arrived in Ogbomoso on Sunday as part of efforts to assess the situation and coordinate ongoing rescue operations.
Other members of the team include the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu; Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe; and the President’s Special Adviser on Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
The visit comes days after armed men reportedly invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School and other locations within the affected communities, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers.
Speaking on the development, Dare said the President had activated a coordinated response aimed at securing the safe release of the victims and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.
“A powerful presidential delegation has arrived in Ogbomoso and is proceeding to the affected communities of Esiele and Yawota, where armed attackers reportedly stormed schools and abducted pupils and teachers,” Dare stated.
He added that President Tinubu had directed security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended.
“The President remains committed to the safe return of all those abducted and has instructed security agencies to leave no stone unturned in rescuing the victims and prosecuting those behind the attack,” he said.
The abduction has generated widespread concern among residents and families of the victims, who have continued to call on both the federal and Oyo State governments to secure the immediate release of those still in captivity.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to provide an official update on the whereabouts of the abductees, although rescue operations were said to be ongoing.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the security of schools and communities in parts of the country, with stakeholders urging swift action to prevent further attacks on educational institutions.
