The Oyo State Government has offered to negotiate with abductors of the kidnapped staff and students of schools in Oriire Local Government Area, in order to secure their safe release.
Penpushing reports that Governor Seyi Makinde gave the hint on Monday while addressing journalists at his private residence in Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan, on the kidnapping incident that occurred in Ahoro Esinele Community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
“We have now conclusively confirmed that at the Community Secondary School, seven students were abducted, while at the First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted alongside seven teachers. Unfortunately, as I reported yesterday, one of them was killed’, he said
Penpushing further reports that he explained that this does not suggest that the government surrender to terrorism, assuring that all efforts were being intensified to ensure the victims returned home unharmed.
The Governor, however, appealed to the abductors to release the victims promptly, insisting that the government was willing to engage them to save lives, stressing that whatever their demands may be, government is ready to listen and address the ones it can as a state government.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that our children and their teachers return safely These are not foreigners; they are our people. Whatever their demands may be, we are ready to listen and address the ones we can as a state government. The children and their teachers must be released without delay’, he said.
Penpushing also reports that Makinde described the situation as fluid and difficult, pointing out that security operatives were still carrying out rescue operations in the area, and equally tasked journalists to do away with sensational reportage
“The operation is still ongoing. It remains a very fluid and difficult situation for our troops on the ground. I will therefore appeal for responsible reporting because this is not about sensationalism; it involves human lives,” he said.
Penpushing reports that he disclosed that the state government had established an operational situation room at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate rescue efforts and provide verified information to the public.
“We have set up an operational centre at the police headquarters here. The Commissioner of Police will coordinate the situation room and provide the required information,” he added.
Penpushing further reports that speaking on security reinforcement, he confirmed that the surveillance aircraft procured by the state government had arrived in Nigeria and were currently being assembled at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos.
“The manufacturers from China arrived about three days ago and will require roughly two weeks to complete the process. I can say conclusively that the surveillance aircraft will become operational on or before the end of June’, Makinde stated.
Penpushing also reports that he explained that the aircraft were procured proactively to monitor border communities between Oyo and neighbouring states, as well as the international border with the Republic of Benin.
“We were proactive because we wanted to cover the borderline between Oyo and Kwara states, as well as the international border between our state and the Republic of Benin, although we did not anticipate this particular incident,” he said.
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