Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that the students and teachers abducted during the recent coordinated attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area are still being held within the Old Oyo National Park corridor, despite ongoing rescue operations by security agencies. The governor’s latest update has heightened concerns among families, residents, and education stakeholders who have been anxiously awaiting the safe return of the victims.
The mass abduction, which occurred in May, sent shockwaves across Oyo State and the nation after armed men stormed multiple schools in the Ahoro Esinele and Yawota communities, kidnapping dozens of pupils and teachers. Reports indicate that the attackers carried out coordinated raids on a secondary school and two primary schools, whisking away children ranging from toddlers to teenagers alongside several members of staff.
According to available security updates, seven secondary school students, eighteen primary school pupils, and seven teachers remain in captivity. The governor explained that intelligence gathered from ongoing investigations suggests that the victims have not been moved out of the expansive forest region within the Old Oyo National Park, an area known for its difficult terrain and growing security challenges. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Makinde reiterated that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, has intensified efforts to secure the release of the abductees. He maintained that authorities are carefully coordinating rescue operations while working to ensure that the lives of the captives are not endangered. The governor also stressed that intelligence gathering and strategic operations remain ongoing as officials seek a breakthrough in the case.
The kidnapping has become one of the most disturbing security incidents recorded in the South-West region in recent years. Earlier reports confirmed that one teacher was killed during the attack, while security operatives subsequently arrested several suspects believed to have links to the kidnappers, including individuals suspected of providing information and logistical support to the criminal network.
The incident has also reignited national conversations about the spread of banditry and terrorism beyond Nigeria’s traditional conflict zones. Security experts and government officials have warned that sustained military pressure on criminal groups in the North-West has forced some elements to migrate southward, creating new security threats in previously calmer regions. The Old Oyo National Park and surrounding forests have increasingly been identified as vulnerable areas exploited by armed groups seeking hideouts away from security scrutiny.
As the days in captivity continue to mount, parents and relatives of the abducted children and teachers remain hopeful for positive news. Community leaders, religious organizations, and civil society groups have continued to appeal to authorities to accelerate efforts aimed at bringing the victims home safely. With rescue operations still underway and security agencies maintaining a strong presence in the affected areas, attention remains firmly focused on the fate of the abducted pupils and teachers whose ordeal has become a symbol of Nigeria’s broader security challenges.
