President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State as part of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity and secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The President also directed a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify operations aimed at rescuing the victims taken by gunmen during attacks on three schools in the area.
The directive was conveyed on Sunday by a Federal Government delegation that visited the affected Esiele and Yawota communities.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation informed community leaders and lawmakers of the administration’s latest security measures.
The team also disclosed that requests by residents for the establishment of a military base in the area had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
The intervention comes 16 days after armed attackers invaded the communities and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers, sparking widespread concern across the state.
The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Addressing residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said the President’s decision to send the country’s top security officials to the affected communities underscored his commitment to ensuring the safe return of the victims.
He assured residents that the Federal Government would deploy all necessary resources to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The Chief of Staff also responded to appeals from parents and community members who urged security agencies to exercise caution during rescue operations.
According to him, the operation would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated, combining both military and non-military approaches to guarantee the victims’ safe recovery.
The delegation later paid a condolence visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, where they sympathised with the traditional ruler and members of the community over the tragedy.
They also visited Mrs Mary Oyedokun, widow of slain teacher Michael Oyedokun, and her children.
Gbajabiamila conveyed the President’s condolences and assured the family of government support.
Onanuga stated that the planned recruitment of the forest guards would be carried out in partnership with the Oyo State Government to strengthen security surveillance across forested areas.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities, carting away pupils and teachers.
During the attack, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was killed, while a motorcyclist also lost his life.
A security operative involved in initial rescue efforts later died after encountering improvised explosive devices allegedly planted by the abductors.
The affected communities are located near a vast forest corridor believed to have provided cover for the kidnappers since the incident.Deepens
President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State as part of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity and secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The President also directed a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify operations aimed at rescuing the victims taken by gunmen during attacks on three schools in the area.
The directive was conveyed on Sunday by a Federal Government delegation that visited the affected Esiele and Yawota communities.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation informed community leaders and lawmakers of the administration’s latest security measures.
The team also disclosed that requests by residents for the establishment of a military base in the area had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
The intervention comes 16 days after armed attackers invaded the communities and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers, sparking widespread concern across the state.
The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Addressing residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said the President’s decision to send the country’s top security officials to the affected communities underscored his commitment to ensuring the safe return of the victims.
He assured residents that the Federal Government would deploy all necessary resources to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The Chief of Staff also responded to appeals from parents and community members who urged security agencies to exercise caution during rescue operations.
According to him, the operation would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated, combining both military and non-military approaches to guarantee the victims’ safe recovery.
The delegation later paid a condolence visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, where they sympathised with the traditional ruler and members of the community over the tragedy.
They also visited Mrs Mary Oyedokun, widow of slain teacher Michael Oyedokun, and her children.
Gbajabiamila conveyed the President’s condolences and assured the family of government support.
Onanuga stated that the planned recruitment of the forest guards would be carried out in partnership with the Oyo State Government to strengthen security surveillance across forested areas.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities, carting away pupils and teachers.
During the attack, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was killed, while a motorcyclist also lost his life.
A security operative involved in initial rescue efforts later died after encountering improvised explosive devices allegedly planted by the abductors.
The affected communities are located near a vast forest corridor believed to have provided cover for the kidnappers since the incident.
(Prompt News)