By Stephen Simon
Oyo Won’t Become Another Chibok, Makinde Assures as Search for Abducted Pupils Intensifies
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that every available effort is being deployed to secure the safe rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, declaring that Oyo will not witness a repeat of the infamous Chibok school abduction.
The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing a group of protesters led by social media influencer and activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan.
Makinde said the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, was exploring all possible options to ensure the safe return of the victims, stressing that protecting lives remained the priority.
“We will do everything within our power to ensure that these children and their teachers are brought back safely. Oyo State will not become another Chibok,” the governor assured.
He explained that while governors play critical roles in maintaining security within their states, constitutional limitations mean that operational control of security agencies rests with the Federal Government.
The governor, however, expressed confidence in the security architecture currently in place in the state, noting that ongoing efforts by security operatives would yield positive results.
Makinde also stated his readiness to personally support initiatives aimed at securing the release of the abductees, adding that no option would be ruled out if it would help bring the victims home safely.
Without disclosing operational details for security reasons, the governor maintained that authorities were working diligently to ensure a successful outcome while avoiding actions that could endanger the lives of those in captivity.
He commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully and for drawing public attention to the plight of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Earlier, speaking on behalf of the protesters, VeryDarkMan called for urgent action to secure the release of the victims and prevent the incident from becoming another national tragedy.
The activist urged the government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and expressed the willingness of concerned Nigerians to support lawful initiatives aimed at bringing the abductees home.
The reference to Chibok recalls the 2014 abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from a government secondary school in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents, an incident that sparked global outrage and became one of the most defining security challenges in Nigeria’s recent history.
The abduction in Oriire has generated growing concern among residents and stakeholders, with calls mounting for swift intervention to ensure the safe return of the victims and strengthen security around schools and communities across the state.
Security agencies have yet to provide detailed information on the operation, but authorities insist efforts are ongoing to rescue the abductees and apprehend those responsible.
