Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed that the abducted students and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area are still within the Old Oyo National Park axis, as security operations continue to secure their release.

The Governor explained that the vast 2,500 square kilometre terrain of the park has made the rescue operation complex, stressing that it requires patience, coordination, and sustained persistence from security agencies involved.

Makinde assured residents that government, in collaboration with security forces, is fully committed to ensuring the safe return of the victims, adding that all necessary resources have been deployed to track and rescue them alive.

He noted that multiple security formations are working in coordination within and around the forest reserve, with intelligence-driven operations ongoing to locate and close in on the abductors. He also emphasized that the difficult terrain, dense vegetation, and scattered hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park continue to pose operational challenges for rescue teams.

The Governor urged residents of surrounding communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist ongoing operations, while warning against speculation that could undermine security efforts or cause panic among families of the victims.

He further appealed for calm, stressing that security agencies are maintaining continuous pressure on the area until the abducted students and teachers are safely rescued and reunited with their families.

“We will get them home safely,” the Governor said, reaffirming his confidence in the ongoing rescue mission.