Tinubu vows rescue of abducted Oyo victims after teacher’s killing

President Bola Tinubu has condemned as barbaric the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers from the Esiele community in Oyo State, assuring that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims..

The President, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said security operatives were working round the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators and their collaborators.

Tinubu sympathised with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the state government and residents over the incident, while assuring that the Federal Government would collaborate with the state government to secure the victims’ release.

He said, “I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.

“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.

Tinubu added that the Inspector-General of Police was personally leading a technology-driven operation aimed at rescuing the victims.

“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.

The President further stated that the recurring cases of kidnapping underscored the need for the establishment of state police across the country.

“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police”, the President said.

Gunmen had invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday, abducting staff, students and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

Teachers in some public schools in Oriire Local Government Area on Monday staged a peaceful protest, demanding the immediate release of their abducted colleagues and students.

The protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Their deaths demand action”, “Say their name, remember their sacrifice”, and “Noble teachers gone too soon.”

The attack also reportedly claimed the lives of an assistant headmaster identified as Joel Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist.