Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has confirmed that seven teachers were abducted during the recent attack on schools in the Oriire area of the state, while authorities are still working to determine the exact number of pupils missing after the invasion by suspected gunmen.
Makinde disclosed this on Sunday while addressing journalists on the worsening security situation following the attack on the affected schools.
The governor had earlier held a security meeting with service commanders and heads of security agencies in the state to receive operational updates on the kidnapping incident and ongoing rescue efforts.
According to Makinde, an Islamic Studies teacher was killed during the attack, while security operatives have already arrested six suspects within the affected community alongside three other persons of interest linked to the incident.
He revealed that preliminary investigations suggested that some of those arrested may have acted as informants for the attackers.
“The information available is that about six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them we believe are informants. Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested,” the governor said.
Makinde further stated that the attackers are believed to be members of armed groups fleeing intensified military offensives against terrorists and bandits in the North-West region of the country.
“With the pressure on the terrorists and the bandits in the North-West, they will keep moving southward,” he said.
The governor warned that states in the South must strengthen security architecture to prevent displaced criminal elements from exploiting vulnerable communities.
“But the problem that we have is when you have pressure in one place, we must be prepared on this side to either repel or neutralise any terrorists fleeing the pressure points,” he added.
Makinde also disclosed that the state government would not rely solely on military operations in addressing the crisis, noting that consultations were ongoing with community leaders, elders, and religious stakeholders, including officials of the Baptist Convention, as one of the affected schools belongs to the church.
“We have decided that we will adopt not just a kinetic approach. We are engaging leaders, elders and religious leaders, especially at the Baptist Convention,” he stated.
The governor appealed to residents to remain calm and assured families of the abducted victims that the government and security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure their safe return.
“We are not taking this lightly. We will do everything within our means to resolve this quickly and bring our children back safely,” Makinde assured.
