President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the reported killing of one of the teachers abducted during an attack on schools in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the act as barbaric.
Gunmen reportedly invaded the Esiele community last Friday and abducted staff, students, and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, triggering widespread concern across the state.
In a statement, President Tinubu assured residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue all remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The President sympathised with Seyi Makinde, the government, and people of Oyo State over the incident, while pledging full federal collaboration with state authorities to secure the release of the kidnapped 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 said.
Tinubu also commended the Inspector-General of Police and security operatives in Oyo and Kwara states for their swift response and deployment of tactical and Intelligence Response Team personnel to the area.
According to the President, the Inspector-General of Police is personally coordinating a technology-driven rescue operation following presidential directives.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon,” he stated.
President Tinubu further vowed that the perpetrators and their collaborators would be tracked down and prosecuted.
“The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he added.
The President also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, arguing that persistent kidnapping incidents highlight the urgent need for decentralised policing to improve security coverage in underserved communities.
“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,” Tinubu said.