Human rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has expressed readiness to go into the bush alongside his supporters to rescue the kidnapped Oyo students and teachers.
VeryDarkMan made this known while addressing the state governor, Seyi Makinde, after leading protesters to the government house in Ibadan.
NPO Reported that the activist had on Tuesday arrived in Ibadan for the protest against the delay in rescue of the students and teachers abducted on the 15th of May at Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The protesters had, on arrival of VDM, stormed the government house with Makinde attending to them.
VDM, in his address, expressed concern over the condition of the children as he demanded to know when they will be rescued.
“We came here for one reason, for kidnapping and terrorism to stop in Oyo state and in the whole of Nigeria at large, and we’re here to ask you Mr. Governor that when are the children coming home?
“We’re also here to commit ourselves that if the governor doesn’t have men, we are ready to go into the bush with the police and army
“As of now, we don’ even know the condition of the children. We don’t know if the children are still alive.” He said.
The activist warned against further delay of the rescue as he hinted possibilities of the kidnappers engaging the children in forced marriage and demanding of levy from farmers in the community.
VDM reiterated his readiness to embark on the rescue mission while admitting to possible collateral damages the decision may cause.
“If you are waiting for the perfect time to go and rescue those children, they will keep them for long and even marry them off to other kidnappers.
“At the end of the day, there will be more collateral damage. That is why we are saying enough is enough.
“I’ve studied these bandits for so long and I’ve come to realise that if they push you and you don’t push back, they will see it as a weakness and start asking for levy from Oyo farmers.
“Mr. Governor, I think it is high time you let these kidnappers and bandits know that we actually don’t care. We know there will be collateral damage, and we are all ready for it.” He said.
Reacting, Makinde also claimed being concerned over the condition of the children.
The governor however held that he would not be able to divulge much information due to the sensitive nature of the development.
“I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I am also distressed with what has been happening.
“Because of the sensitivity of the situation, I cannot divulge a lot of information.” He said.
Makinde described the rescue mission as a special one on account of the nature of the victim who are largely minors.
“This is the first time they will do it to Nursery and Primary school children, and these are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves.
“So, the operation to rescue them is a special one.
“I give you the assurance that I, as the governor of Oyo State, will bring out those children.” He said.
On the inaction of the Amotekun security outfit, the Oyo governor said that the outfit has not been adequately armed for such operation.
“When I came in, security was one of the cardinal principles of the administration. That is why we set up Amotekun, but Amotekun has not been armed adequately but that is our reality now.” He said.