Oduduwa News

ILORIN — The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over his administration’s handling of the Woro kidnapping crisis, contrasting his approach with the recent successful rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in neighboring Oyo State.

​While congratulating the Oyo State Government on the safe return of the 49 abductees, the Kwara opposition party expressed deep concern that 179 residents of the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area—who were abducted during a deadly terrorist attack on February 3, 2026—remain in captivity more than five months later.

​In a statement issued by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party attributed the successful rescue operation in Oyo State to sustained public engagement, media pressure, and the responsive leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde. The PDP praised Makinde for collaborating closely with federal security agencies and treating public criticism as a mandate to intensify rescue efforts.

​Drawing a sharp contrast, the PDP accused Governor AbdulRazaq of failing to prioritize the rescue of the Woro victims, a group that reportedly includes pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children. The party lamented that the governor’s perceived inaction has left the affected communities feeling abandoned following a massacre that claimed nearly 200 lives.

​“While Oyo people celebrate the return of their citizens, Kwara State is left mourning under a government that simply does not care,” the statement read.

​The opposition party further condemned the Kwara State Government’s handling of public grievances. According to the PDP, peaceful demonstrators—including elderly women protesting the prolonged captivity of the Woro abductees—were recently assaulted by thugs outside the Government House in Ilorin.
​This, the party noted, was in stark contrast to Governor Makinde’s direct engagement with protesters in Oyo State, where he publicly addressed demonstrators, explained the government’s rescue strategies, and assured them of the victims’ eventual safe return.

​The PDP commended civil society groups, the media, and social media activists, including the Ratel Movement led by VeryDarkMan, for sustaining pressure during the Oyo crisis. Concluding the statement, the party urged Governor AbdulRazaq to treat the Oyo rescue as an urgent wake-up call and called on Kwara stakeholders to persistently demand accountability for the Woro victims still languishing in terrorist camps.

ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the 2027 general election, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has commended Nigeria’s security agencies for the successful rescue of victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after about 50 days in captivity.

He said the operation demonstrates that the country’s security forces possess the capacity to defeat criminal gangs when given consistent political support.

In a statement issued at the weekend, Hashim described the rescue as a significant victory for the nation and argued that Nigeria’s security challenges stem less from the competence of its armed forces than from the need for sustained political direction and unwavering leadership.
“We have never doubted the ability of Nigeria’s Defence Forces to secure the country. What has often been lacking is clarity of purpose and unwavering political leadership,” he said.

The former presidential candidate cited the Nigerian military’s distinguished record in international peacekeeping missions, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where Nigerian troops, operating under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), played leading roles in ending prolonged conflicts and restoring peace.

According to him, the successful rescue in Oriire should serve as a model for a coordinated nationwide campaign against kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminal groups terrorising communities across the country.

“The same determination that secured the freedom of the Oriire victims must now be deployed across every community where innocent Nigerians remain in captivity, including parts of Kwara l, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina,Benue,Nassarawa Plateau and Kebbi states. No family should be left to suffer when the state has the capacity to act,” he stated.

Hashim, who is also Co-Chair of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR), urged the Federal Government to provide sustained strategic direction and stronger political backing for the nation’s security agencies. He also called on the security chiefs to replicate similar rescue operations across all affected parts of the country until every kidnapped victim is freed and criminal networks are dismantled.

“Above all, we must now take the fight to all terrorists occupying different parts of our country through an integrated strategy aimed at bringing an end to the terrorist war on our land,” he added.

He congratulated the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their courage, professionalism and sacrifice, describing the successful operation as a major boost to public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.

Hashim also congratulated the rescued victims and their families, while praying for their speedy physical, emotional and psychological recovery from their 50-day ordeal.

The Alado of Ado-Awaye, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rev’d Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi Makuledoye II, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the nation’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement signed by the monarch and made available to Oduduwa News, Oba Makuledoye expressed immense joy over the safe return of the victims after weeks in captivity, describing the development as a huge relief to their families, the affected communities, and the entire state.

The royal father praised the courage, professionalism, and commitment demonstrated by the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes, and other stakeholders whose coordinated efforts led to the successful operation.

According to him, the rescue has rekindled hope in the nation’s security architecture and reaffirmed that collaboration among government, security agencies, and local communities remains essential in tackling insecurity.

Oba Makuledoye also expressed appreciation to everyone who played one role or another in ensuring the victims regained their freedom, praying that God would continue to strengthen and protect all security personnel serving the nation.

While celebrating the successful rescue, the monarch extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident. He prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed souls and asked God to grant their families the strength and fortitude to bear the painful loss.

The traditional ruler further called for sustained efforts to rid Oyo State and the country of criminal elements, urging security agencies to remain vigilant and intensify intelligence gathering to prevent future occurrences.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting every initiative aimed at promoting peace, security, and development across Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.

The All Progressives Congress APC has described the combined efforts of the federal government and security agencies which yielded the freedom of school children and their teachers from the custody of bandits as the best news of the year saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again shown commitment to fighting crimes to a standstill in the country.

The freed captives were abducted by a team of bandits which invaded the two communities of Ahoro Esiele and Yawota in Oriire local government area of Oyo state on May 15, 2026 even as they killed two persons during the attack and later one of the teachers who was teaching mathematics in a secondary school in one of the affected schools.

In a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary Olawale Sadare Oyo APC charged the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to take some proactive measures in guiding a repeat of the ugly experience in any part of the state by making sure that his administration forms a synergy with the federal government and security agencies particularly in the area of security.

“We are happy for the lucky abductees, their family members and every concerned persons who have had to contend will indescribable agony and apprehension in the last 56 days while we also sympathise with the families of the three individuals who lost their lives to the unfortunate incident. Meanwhile, it is important for all stakeholders to work together and kick out bandits, abductors and other criminal elements from the Nigerian society because insecurity is antithetical to progress and development.

“As things stand now, state governors have to be more alive to their responsibilities especially as it concerns security of lives and properties. The situation in Oyo state since 2019 has been worrisome because we have a governor who always works at cross purpose with the government at the centre on account of dirty politicking.

“As we await details of successful operations which yielded the freedom of the victims, it is imperative for the Makinde administration to avoid spreading false narratives and half truths capable of misleading the public and downplaying the roles played by the federal government all in the name of the governor’s laughable presidential ambition.

“As a matter of fact, we would like to charge President Tinubu to entrust the rehabilitation and welfare of the freed captives in the hands of a federal agency or an ad hoc committee rather than Gov. Makinde because we do not want the Bodija Explosion saga to repeat itself again. Also, corporate organizations and individual philanthropists should channel their intervention through the federal government and the governor’s wife whose voice was not heard on the Oriire abduction since the day it happened.” APC added.

IBADAN – Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Saturday visited the pupils and teachers recently rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The governor met with the victims and their families, expressing gratitude to God for the successful rescue operation and commending the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces, other security agencies, local authorities, and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly to secure their release.

All 39 abducted pupils were rescued alive, while five of the seven kidnapped teachers also regained their freedom. The governor described the outcome as a significant relief, although he acknowledged the pain of the lives lost during the ordeal.

Makinde assured residents that his administration would continue to strengthen security across the state and work closely with security agencies to prevent similar incidents. He reiterated his commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven in Oyo State.

The governor also sympathised with the families of those who did not survive the tragic incident, praying that God grants them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

“While we celebrate the safe return of the children and the surviving teachers, our hearts remain with the families of those who paid the ultimate price. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he said.

The abduction, which occurred in Oriire Local Government Area, sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and the country, prompting sustained security operations that eventually led to the victims’ release after 56 days in captivity.

As the rescued victims begin their recovery and reunite with their loved ones, the state government has pledged to provide the necessary support to aid their rehabilitation.

May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.

The political crisis within the Accord Party in Osun State has deepened as party executives have warned Governor Ademola Adeleke to either align with the party’s national presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, or risk losing their support ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

The executives, in a statement issued in Osogbo, accused the governor of enjoying the benefits of the Accord platform while failing to fully identify with the party’s national political direction.

They declared that Governor Adeleke must choose between supporting the presidential ambition of Gbenga Hashim, the Accord Party’s national candidate, or facing a possible political realignment that could favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji.

The statement was jointly signed by the Accord Party’s Osun State Public Relations Officer, Daniel Adedayo, and State Youth Leader, Tolulope Babalola.

The executives argued that Governor Adeleke cannot simultaneously operate on the Accord platform while supporting political interests outside the party’s national structure.

“If the governor believes President Bola Tinubu deserves another term in 2027, then Bola Oyebamiji should equally be considered fit to govern Osun State,” they stated.

They maintained that the governor’s position as the leading political figure of Accord in Osun does not confer the authority to determine the party’s national direction, stressing that every member and stakeholder has a responsibility to respect the party’s decisions.

“Governor Adeleke remains only one voice among many in the party nationwide and cannot dictate for the party,” the executives warned.

They urged the governor to demonstrate commitment to the Accord Party by supporting Hashim’s presidential project and strengthening the party’s national relevance ahead of the 2027 general election.

The development adds a new layer of complexity to Osun’s political contest as Governor Adeleke navigates the battle for a second term amid growing questions over party cohesion, legal challenges surrounding Accord’s participation, and competing national political alignments.

The disagreement also highlights the broader struggle within emerging political parties between state level electoral interests and national ambitions ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

The 44 pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom following a coordinated rescue operation led by troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the victims were rescued on July 10, 2026, after an intelligence-driven operation that lasted for more than one month.

The operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, and involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.

The military disclosed that the operation focused on identifying and dismantling the terrorist network responsible for the abduction, including its logistics chain, informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations.

Several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country during the operation. According to the Army, the sustained pressure from security forces disrupted the criminal network and compelled the terrorists to unconditionally release the abducted pupils and teachers.

The statement noted that the operation was carefully planned and executed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims while avoiding collateral damage. However, it added that some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation.

The rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.

The Nigerian Army expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the strategic guidance and support that contributed to the success of the operation.

The Army also commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his support to security agencies throughout the rescue efforts, while acknowledging the contributions of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, and heads of other security agencies for ensuring effective inter-agency collaboration.

The Army further thanked media organisations and Nigerians for their patience, support and confidence in the nation’s security architecture, urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities.

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has welcomed the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers who were abducted by terrorists in Oyo State, describing the development as a significant victory for the victims, their families, and the nation’s security agencies.

PeacePro commended all security personnel and intelligence operatives involved in the operation, noting that every successful rescue reaffirms the state’s responsibility to protect its citizens.

However, the organization stressed that the rescue operation should mark the beginning, not the end, of the government’s response.

According to PeacePro Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the true measure of success is not only that hostages regain their freedom, but that the criminal enterprise responsible for their abduction is completely dismantled.

“The rescue of victims is commendable, but justice is incomplete if the kidnappers, their financiers, informants, suppliers, and collaborators remain free to abduct again,” Hamzat said.

PeacePro reiterated its position that Nigeria must adopt a doctrine of total accountability for terrorist kidnapping, where every abduction triggers an overwhelming intelligence, law enforcement, and security response aimed at destroying the entire network behind the crime.

“Terrorist kidnapping must become a path to destruction, not reward.

Every successful kidnapping operation that leaves the criminal network intact creates the risk of future victims. Every successful rescue should therefore be followed by the systematic dismantling of the infrastructure that enabled the crime.”

PeacePro urged security agencies to sustain intelligence led operations to identify and prosecute all those connected to the kidnapping, including financiers, logistics providers, informants, and collaborators.

PeacePro further called on governments at all levels to strengthen preventive security around schools and other vulnerable public institutions, emphasizing that protecting education is essential to national development and long-term peace.

“The children are home.
That is welcome news. Now the state must ensure that those responsible lose not only this operation but their entire criminal enterprise.”

Pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.

The victims were released late on Friday, according to credible local sources. Although details surrounding their release remain unclear, security operatives and community leaders are believed to have played key roles in securing their freedom.

The development has brought relief to families and residents, who had anxiously awaited the safe return of the victims. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation while investigations into the abduction and the circumstances surrounding the release remain ongoing.

The Oyo State Government is expected to issue an official statement as more information emerges.

More details will follow soon

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed optimism that all 36 State Houses of Assembly will approve the constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police, citing the broad national consensus and extensive stakeholder consultations that have shaped the proposed legislation.

Abiodun made this known while speaking at the Arise Television Town Hall Meeting on State Policing, where he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for transmitting the Executive Bill on the creation of state police to the National Assembly.

The governor also praised members of the National Assembly, state governors and other stakeholders for their commitment to advancing what he described as a historic constitutional reform aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.

As Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Committee on State Police Creation, Abiodun said the committee had worked closely with governors across the federation and relevant stakeholders to develop a robust operational and legal framework for the proposed state police system.

According to him, the establishment of state police would strengthen community policing, improve intelligence gathering, boost internal security and create employment opportunities through the recruitment of additional security personnel.

He added that the initiative would also help improve Nigeria’s police-to-citizen ratio while ensuring professionalism, accountability and adequate protection of the rights of all Nigerians.

Governor Abiodun expressed confidence that the widespread support already garnered for the proposal would translate into simultaneous approval by all 36 State Houses of Assembly once the constitutional amendment is transmitted for ratification.

He maintained that with effective implementation and strong institutional safeguards, the establishment of state police would significantly enhance security across the country and complement the efforts of existing federal security agencies in tackling crime and maintaining law and order.