Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday confirmed that seven teachers were abducted during the recent attack on schools in the Oriire area of the state, while authorities were still working to ascertain the number of pupils missing after the invasion.
The governor disclosed this while briefing journalists on the worsening security situation following the attack by suspected gunmen on the affected schools.
Makinde said he had earlier met with service commanders and heads of security agencies in the state to review developments surrounding the incident and ongoing rescue efforts.
According to him, one Islamic Studies teacher was killed during the attack, while security operatives had arrested six suspects within the community and three additional persons of interest linked to the incident.
The governor stated that preliminary findings indicated that some of those apprehended may have served as informants to the attackers.
“The information available to us is that about six people have been arrested within the locality.
Some of them are believed to be informants. We also have three other persons of interest in custody,” he said.
Makinde linked the growing insecurity in parts of the South-West to intensified military offensives against terrorists and bandits in the North-West, noting that armed groups were beginning to move into other regions to evade security pressure.
“With the pressure currently mounted on terrorists and bandits in the North-West, many of them will continue moving southward,” the governor stated.
He warned that states with weak security structures could become vulnerable to attacks by fleeing criminal groups if urgent preventive measures were not taken.
“When pressure is applied in one area, we must also be prepared on this side to either repel or neutralise those fleeing from the conflict zones,” he added.
Makinde further revealed that the state government had adopted a broader strategy beyond military action in tackling the crisis.
According to him, consultations were ongoing with community leaders, elders and religious bodies, including the Baptist Convention, because one of the attacked schools belongs to the church.
“We have resolved not to rely solely on kinetic measures. We are engaging stakeholders, traditional rulers and religious leaders, particularly the Baptist Convention,” he explained.
The governor appealed to residents of the state to remain calm, assuring families of the abducted victims that the government and security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure their safe release.
“We are not treating this incident lightly. Everything possible will be done to ensure the safe return of our children and teachers,” he assured.
Describing the attack as painful and disturbing, Makinde announced that the state government would commence daily press briefings to keep the public informed about rescue operations and security interventions.
The attack has heightened concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State and the increasing spread of kidnapping and banditry activities into the South-West region.