Oyo school children kidnap: FG delegates meet community leaders

A delegation from the federal government has met with community leaders and relatives of the victims in Oyo State as efforts intensify to secure the release of schoolchildren recently abducted by suspected kidnappers.

The visit was aimed at assessing the situation, engaging local stakeholders, and reassuring residents of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of the victims.

The delegation team led by Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff to the president; Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser; Christopher Musa, the minister of defence; Olatunji Disu, the inspector general of police; Joseph Tegbe, the minister of power; and Sunday Dare, the senior special adviser to the president on media and public communications, visited the Ogbomosho area of Oyo State to meet with community leaders and families of abducted teachers, students, and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oyo State on May 15, 2026.

Gbajabiamila, who delivered President Bola Tinubu’s message to the grieving community, said that the president shares their sorrow and pain at this critical moment.

“The president has directed all security agencies to rescue all those abducted in Oyo State and bring them back home safely.

“President Tinubu saw some of the videos of those in captivity appealing to the government not to use violence in resolving the issues,” he said.

Besides, he disclosed that the president promised that the approach that will be used in rescuing the people will be intelligence-driven, and the ultimate goal is to ensure that they return home.

Gbajabiamila said a support system, trauma counselling, will be provided for affected families, assuring that the safety of every Nigerian child and the entire citizenry of the country remains Tinubu’s priority.

Ribadu said the abduction of infants is a new tactic by kidnappers and assured that the insecurity issue will be solved.

Musa, in his address, urged the community leaders to cooperate with the security agents deployed to their community.

“The entire Oriire community is being monitored with a technology device,” he noted.

He counselled the community leaders to report any strange visitors or suspicious acts in their environment to rescue the kidnapped victims as soon as possible.

During the visit, the federal government delegation met with community leaders and relatives of the victims as efforts continue to secure the release of those still being held captive.

The high-level visit comes amid growing public concern over the incident, which has sparked protests and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and rural communities across Oyo State.

Meanwhile, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State visited Ogbomoso on Saturday, and reassured residents that his administration would continue to deploy every available effort to secure the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.

Makinde asked the residents to exercise patience, understanding, and cooperation with his administration, and not to blame either the federal or state governments but to galvanise efforts to rescue the victims.

The governor, who sympathised with the affected families, described the incident as unprecedented, particularly because it involved the abduction of underage children.

He emphasised that since the abduction occurred, he had been holding security meetings twice daily and working closely with relevant security agencies to facilitate the safe return of the victims.