Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has said the Federal Government has been actively engaged since the first day in efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, revealing that he meets federal security officials three to four times daily as part of ongoing rescue operations.
The governor made the remarks while addressing protesting teachers and education stakeholders concerned about the fate of the victims. Speaking candidly to the protesters, he said security agencies and federal authorities have remained fully engaged since the incident, with rescue efforts coordinated across federal and state levels.
His account aligns with the Federal Government’s earlier position that security and intelligence assets were deployed immediately after the abduction and that operations have been continuous.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed an enhanced security response, and a Federal Government delegation subsequently visited the affected Esiele and Yawota communities to reassure residents and community leaders. During the visit, the government announced additional measures, including the approval of 1,000 forest guards in partnership with the Oyo State Government, the deployment of a specialised rescue team, and consideration of a military base for the area.
Security analysts note that hostage recovery operations typically depend on sustained intelligence gathering, operational secrecy and continuous inter-agency coordination — making the close federal-state cooperation Makinde described essential.
For the affected families, the overriding priority remains the safe return of the pupils and teachers still in captivity.
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