The Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has declared that he is ready to sacrifice his life if need arises to rescue abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state who were kidnapped over a month ago, and still remain in custody of the terrorist.
Penpushing reports that Makinde made this known on Tuesday while addressing protesters who trooped out in Ibadan, the state capital, to demand an urgent action over the continued captivity of the victims.
The governor who disclosed that a lieutenant of the Nigerian Army was killed during ongoing efforts to rescue the victims, however, did not provide details of the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death, but said the incident underscored the dangers faced by security operatives involved in the operation.
“We have lost men, even soldiers, officers. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago, We’re doing everything possible. We’ve lost a teacher already. If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more’, Makinde said.
‘But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it,” he said. “I’ve lived a good life. I’m almost 60. It doesn’t matter. My own father died at 76’, he added
Penoushing further reports that he assured residents that security agencies were continuing efforts to rescue the victims while seeking to avoid additional casualties, stressing that the state government would not allow the incident to degenerate into a prolonged national tragedy similar to the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, in 2014.
The governor emphasized that authorities remained committed to exhausting all available options to secure the release of the victims and prevent further loss of lives, adding that security agencies are balancing the need for decisive action with the responsibility to protect both the captives and personnel involved in rescue efforts.
Penpushing also reports that it would be recalled that the victims were abducted on May 15, when gunmen attacked Community High School, Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Yawota and another nearby school in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were reportedly marched into the Old Oyo National Park, one of Nigeria’s largest forest reserves, where the attackers later beheaded a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, and hold other victims in captivity
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