Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called for stronger collaboration among all tiers of government and stakeholders to tackle insecurity and ensure the safe rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Yawota and Ahoro Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
Makinde made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing leaders and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Teachers and National Association of Nigerian Students during a peaceful rally held to demand the immediate release of the victims.
The governor described the incident as a “national distress”, warning Nigerians against politicising the situation or engaging in blame games.
According to him, the challenge of insecurity transcends political boundaries, stressing that the perpetrators of the abduction had shown complete disregard for human life.
Makinde, while speaking with the labour and student leaders, appealed to teachers, workers and students across the state to maintain confidence in the government, assuring them that all available resources were being deployed to secure the release of the abductees.
“I have had the opportunity to engage with the leadership of NANS, NUT and NLC. Let me say this clearly: This is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blames and to play politics. I am personally distressed,” the governor said.
Makinde recalled his personal connection to the affected area, revealing that his late father worked as a primary school teacher at Ahoro Dada, located close to the scene of the abduction, between 1959 and 1960.
“My own father was a primary school teacher. He actually taught at Ahoro Dada, which is less than 15 kilometres from where this incident happened. If something like this had happened to him, maybe I would not even have been born,” he added.
The governor stressed that the fight against insecurity requires collective responsibility, noting that both the federal and state governments were already working together to address the situation.
“We are not dealing with normal human beings. Just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? These are not normal people. I can only appeal to students, workers and teachers to continue to trust the government. We are doing our best,” he stated.
Makinde disclosed that he had been in constant engagement with security operatives deployed to the state and had also received assurances from the federal government over ongoing rescue efforts.
He maintained that disunity would only embolden criminal elements seeking to destabilise the country.
“We shouldn’t provide oxygen to the people that want to see us divided. The response at this time should be to pull together and allow the government to see this through,” he said.
The governor assured residents that the abducted children and teachers would return safely, adding that his administration would consider recommendations aimed at strengthening the state’s security architecture after the crisis is resolved.
“In an atmosphere of insecurity, virtually nothing can be achieved. Schools, hospitals and economic activities will all be grounded. We know this, and because we are not dealing with normal human beings, it is going to be a tortuous journey,” he added.
Earlier, the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde; Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kayode Martins; and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State, Comrade Hassan Fatai, commended Makinde’s efforts but urged the government to intensify actions toward securing the immediate release of the abductees.
The union leaders condemned the kidnapping and killing of innocent citizens, describing those responsible as enemies of the nation.
They also called on the government to reinforce security measures across schools in the state to create a safer and more conducive learning environment.
Top government officials present at the briefing included Deputy Governor Barrister ‘Bayo Lawal, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Musibau Babatunde, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Hon. Segun Olayiwola, and Commissioner for Information Prince Dotun Oyelade, among others.
