The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for securing the release of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the development as one of the most encouraging security breakthroughs of the year.
The opposition party said the successful rescue demonstrated President Tinubu’s commitment to confronting criminality and restoring security across the country.
The victims regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked the communities of Ahoro Esiele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
During the attack, two residents were killed, while a mathematics teacher from one of the affected secondary schools was later murdered by the kidnappers.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party congratulated the rescued victims and their families while expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the incident.
“We are happy for the lucky abductees, their family members and every concerned person who has had to contend with indescribable agony and apprehension in the last 56 days,” the statement read.
The party added that insecurity remained a major obstacle to development and called on governments at all levels, security agencies and citizens to work together to eliminate banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes from the country.
The APC also urged Governor Seyi Makinde to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government and security agencies to prevent a recurrence of such attacks in Oyo State.
According to the party, state governments have a critical responsibility to protect lives and property, stressing that closer cooperation between the state and federal authorities would improve security outcomes.
The party further alleged that the Makinde administration had failed to maintain effective working relations with the Federal Government on security matters, attributing the situation to political differences.
While awaiting full details of the security operation that led to the victims’ rescue, the APC cautioned the state government against presenting what it described as misleading narratives that could diminish the contributions of the Federal Government and security agencies.
The opposition party also called on President Tinubu to ensure that the rehabilitation and welfare of the rescued victims are coordinated through a federal agency or a specially constituted committee.
It further appealed to corporate organisations and philanthropists willing to support the victims to channel their assistance through the Federal Government, while also calling on the wife of the Oyo State governor to play a more visible role in humanitarian interventions relating to the incident.
