May 18, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has vowed that all victims abducted during the recent attack on schools in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, would be rescued.
He also directed security agencies to track down and arrest the bandits responsible for the incident and their local collaborators.
The President also condemned the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers, describing the act as barbaric and a painful tragedy that must not go unpunished.
Gunmen had invaded the Esiele community last Friday and abducted staff, students and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, as well as L.A. Primary School, sparking outrage and fear across the state.
The President in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, assured residents of Oyo State that the Federal Government was working closely with the state government and security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
According to the statement, security operatives have already intensified operations in the affected area, with tactical teams and intelligence personnel deployed to secure the release of those still in captivity and dismantle the criminal network behind the attack.
President Tinubu sympathised with Governor Seyi Makinde, the government and people of Oyo State over the incident, while extending condolences to the family of the slain teacher and families of the abducted victims.
“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims,” the President stated.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue collaborating with the Oyo State Government until all the victims were rescued safely.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of tactical and Intelligence Response Team personnel to rescue the victims,” he added.
The President disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police was personally coordinating the operation following presidential directives, noting that authorities were optimistic of achieving a breakthrough soon through technology-driven intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” Tinubu declared.
The President also renewed his call for the establishment of state police, saying the increasing cases of kidnapping and attacks in rural communities further underscored the urgency of decentralising policing structures across the country.
According to him, many underserved communities remain vulnerable because of inadequate security presence and delayed response mechanisms, adding that state police would strengthen intelligence gathering and local security management.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” the President said.
The incident has once again heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of the country, especially attacks targeting schools and rural settlements, while reigniting national conversations around police reforms and community-based security architecture.
Despite the tragedy, the Presidency maintained confidence in the ongoing rescue effort, assuring Nigerians that security agencies remained fully committed to rescuing the abducted victims and bringing those responsible to justice.
Residents of the affected communities have continued to call for sustained security presence in the area as anxious families await positive news from the ongoing operation.
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