A high-powered Federal Government delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday visited Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to commiserate with families of pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen and to assess ongoing rescue efforts.
The delegation’s visit comes amid growing concern over the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire, an incident that has sparked nationwide outrage and calls for urgent action by security agencies.
Addressing community leaders, parents, and residents during the visit, Ribadu assured the affected families that the Federal Government was fully committed to securing the safe and unconditional release of all the victims.
He emphasized that security agencies were working round the clock, in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and local authorities, to ensure a successful rescue operation without jeopardizing the lives of the abducted children and teachers.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been receiving regular briefings on the situation and has directed all relevant security agencies to intensify efforts toward bringing the victims home safely.
Gbajabiamila also conveyed the President’s sympathy to the affected families, assuring them that the Federal Government would not relent until every abducted pupil and teacher was reunited with their loved ones.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue supporting security agencies with credible information that could aid rescue operations.
The delegation met with community leaders, traditional rulers, security officials, and representatives of the affected schools, where they received updates on the incident and ongoing efforts to secure the release of the captives.
The visit followed a similar assurance by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who recently met with families of the victims and pledged that all available resources were being deployed to ensure their safe return. The governor stressed the need for caution and unity, warning against actions that could endanger the lives of those in captivity.
Meanwhile, parents and community members appealed to both the Federal and Oyo State Governments to expedite rescue efforts, expressing fears over the welfare and safety of the abducted children, some of whom are of very tender ages.
The Federal Government reiterated its determination to tackle insecurity across the country and assured Nigerians that those responsible for the abduction would be apprehended and brought to justice.
The abduction, which involved several pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, has attracted condemnation from various stakeholders, including education groups, religious organizations, and civil society bodies, all of whom have called for the immediate release of the victims.