₦airaland Forum

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the abduction of scores of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state represents a moment of national distress requiring unity rather than political recriminations, assuring Nigerians that every available security resource is being deployed to secure the safe return of those held captive.

Speaking on Tuesday during a peaceful protest led by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Makinde said the ongoing rescue efforts have received support from all levels of government and security agencies.

“This is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blame. It is not the time to play politics,” the governor declared.

In an emotional reflection on his personal connection to the teaching profession, Makinde revealed that his late father taught in a community located less than 15 kilometres from where the attack occurred.

“I am personally distressed. My own father was a primary school teacher. He actually taught at Awole Dada, less than 15 kilometres away from where this incident happened. My father was there in 1959 and 1960. If something like this had happened to him, maybe I wouldn’t even have been born,” he said.

The governor insisted that the tragedy should not become a platform for political finger-pointing, stressing that the challenge of insecurity requires a united response.

“This is not the time for us to say it is the President that should have handled this, or it is the Governor, or the local government. This is a time to pull together as one,” he said.

Describing the abductors as individuals devoid of humanity, Makinde stated: “We are not dealing with normal human beings. Just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? Is that somebody that is normal? These are not normal people.”

He appealed to teachers, workers, students and residents to maintain confidence in government and security agencies, saying extensive operations have been ongoing since the incident.

“I can only appeal to you, all the students, the workers and the teachers, to please have trust in your government. We are doing our best,” he said.

According to him, security personnel deployed from the Federal Government have remained on the ground for weeks pursuing leads.

“I’ve heard from the Federal Government. Security operatives have been here for the past two weeks. They spent their salaries here. I have been meeting with them morning and night, sometimes three or four times in a day,” he disclosed.

Makinde warned against actions capable of emboldening criminal elements, adding, “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.”

Offering his strongest assurance yet since the abduction, the governor declared: “I can give you the assurance that our children and their teachers, by the grace of God, will return safely.”

He further stressed that insecurity threatens every aspect of development and governance, noting, “It’s not only schools. In an atmosphere of insecurity, virtually nothing can be achieved. Nothing. Schools, hospitals, economic activities, they all will be grounded.“

While acknowledging concerns raised by teachers over safety, Makinde said government remained committed to ending the ordeal.

“We will ensure that we continue to put in all the efforts to bring our children back and their teachers,” he pledged.

The governor also invited stakeholders to contribute ideas towards strengthening the state’s long-term security framework.

“When we get our children and their teachers back, if you have better ideas about the security architecture and what we can do in the medium to long term, please bring those ideas to the table. We will listen to you and we will act as appropriate.“

“Please, and please, and please, it is time to unite to confront the challenges that we have and to bring back those children and our teachers. That is my plea,“ he said.

Earlier, Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Fatai Hassan, said teachers across the state were living in fear following the attack which reportedly involved four schools and left one teacher dead.

“We are here for no other purpose but to sympathise with ourselves on this dastardly incident that occurred on the 15th of May,” he said.

According to him, “a public primary school, a public secondary school, a private secondary school and a private primary school were attacked by gunmen, bandits and terrorists.”

He disclosed that “39 students and seven teachers were taken away to yet unknown destinations,” while “a comrade teacher, Comrade Joel Adesanya, was gunned down immediately.”

yarimo:
After you have played politics with it, if not for comrade Ayo Fayose you won't have come out speak in this manner

yarimo:
After you have played politics with it, if not for comrade Ayo Fayose you won't have come out speak in this manner

alanto:
National distress yes. But why is the FG still giving states governors security votes if they don't control any security apparatus? I mean las las, they'll still call on the president when insecurity arise. So why pay them extra to secure their states if they won't secure their states?

alanto:
National distress yes. But why is the FG still giving states governors security votes if they don't control any security apparatus? I mean las las, they'll still call on the president when insecurity arise. So why pay them extra to secure their states if they won't secure their states?

yarimo:
After you have played politics with it, if not for comrade Ayo Fayose you won't have come out speak in this manner

givedemwotowoto:
Crime, kidnappings, killings and terr***sm are being normalized in Nigeria while the President’s political ambition is given high priority

What nonsense!

Tinubu must go for Nigeria to heal and recover. He has caused too much damage to Nigeria

AMINDA:
Secure their states with what? Amotekun and dane guns? Or are they allowed to purchase AK47 and arm militias to protect their states? Nothing you lot wouldn't say to exonerate Tinubu but he wasn't that gracious to Goodluck Jonathan during the boko haram and Chibok crisis in Borno. He never blamed Shettima as you lot now try to blame Makinde. Infact, he chose Shettima as VP 8 years later.

marlow1962:
Why?
National distress cus it happened to your people.

yarimo:
After you have played politics with it, if not for comrade Ayo Fayose you won't have come out speak in this manner

you had done your job well as a Governor, would things degenerate to this level?.

Helinuss:
Dont mind that wike attack dog called ayo fayose