By Mokobia Rita.
ABUJA/Nigeria: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an intensified rescue operation and approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest guards following the abduction of scores of pupils and teachers by armed bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The President’s directive was conveyed on Sunday by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who led a high-powered Federal Government delegation to the affected Esiele and Yawota communities, assuring residents that every available resource would be deployed to secure the safe return of the victims.
The delegation included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
The intervention comes 16 days after armed bandits stormed three schools in the area, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers in one of the most shocking attacks on educational institutions in recent years.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu has also directed the creation of a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to strengthen ongoing efforts to locate and free the abducted victims.
Addressing anxious residents, community leaders and lawmakers during the visit, Gbajabiamila said the President was deeply disturbed by the incident and had ordered security agencies to spare no effort in bringing the victims back safely.
“Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective,” Gbajabiamila stated.
He also assured parents and community members that the rescue mission would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated to avoid jeopardising the lives of the captives.
“Mr President has taken note of the concerns expressed by parents. The operation will be intelligence-led, carefully coordinated and will involve both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to ensure the safe return of the victims,” he added.
As part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity across forested communities, the President approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government.
The initiative is expected to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and deny criminal gangs access to the vast forest corridors that have become safe havens for kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The Federal Government delegation also informed community leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been formally transmitted to the President for consideration.
In a demonstration of solidarity with the affected communities, the delegation paid a condolence visit to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, sympathising with the traditional ruler and residents over the tragedy.
The officials also visited Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, widow of the late mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was brutally killed during the attack. Gbajabiamila conveyed President Tinubu’s personal condolences and assured the bereaved family of government support.
The May 15 attack targeted Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities.
Beyond the mass abduction, the attackers reportedly beheaded teacher Michael Oyedokun, killed a commercial motorcyclist and claimed the life of a security operative who encountered improvised explosive devices planted by the criminals during rescue operations.
Residents of the affected communities have long expressed concerns over insecurity linked to the vast forest belt surrounding the area, which security experts say has complicated efforts to track and apprehend criminal elements.
With the Federal Government now escalating its response through additional manpower, specialised rescue capabilities and renewed security operations, hopes are rising among residents and families that the abducted pupils and teachers will soon regain their freedom.
For many residents of Oriire, the President’s intervention represents more than a rescue mission—it is a test of the nation’s resolve to protect its children, defend its schools and ensure that criminal gangs do not hold communities hostage with impunity.
