• Promises rehabilitation of rescued victims
• Gunmen kidnap, release headmaster in Oyo
• Name school after slain Oyo teacher, cultural advocate urges governor
• Oyo APC gubernatorial candidate donates car to rescued school principal

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Council of the state on May 15.

Makinde, in a broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils and their teachers in his office in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, said that the circumstances surrounding the incident were sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond domestic institutions.

The governor, who stated that the responsibility for national security rests with the Federal Government and the security agencies under its control, in line with the Nigerian Constitution, said Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of the incident, including who was responsible, whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level, and the steps being taken to prevent a reoccurrence.

Makinde, however, assured the rescued victims that the state government would provide all the support needed for their full recovery and reintegration.

The victims, escorted in a convoy led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, arrived at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, at exactly 4:11 p.m. before they were ushered into the Executive Council Chamber, where they were officially handed over to the state government.

The governor that his administration would ensure that the traumatic experience did not disrupt their education and careers.

He said that they would remain under medical observation for another 24 to 48 hours at the Headquarters, 2 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, to enable the doctors to carry out comprehensive medical assessments before they are reunited with their families.

Makinde expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their coordinated efforts, which culminated in the successful rescue of the abductees.

He described the operation as a testament to what could be achieved through collaboration among security agencies and the support of the Federal Government.

Earlier, Nnebeife said the rescue operation focused on dismantling the kidnappers’ network by cutting off their logistics, neutralising their informants and blocking major supply routes.

MEANWHILE, days after the abducted Oriire teachers and pupils were rescued, gunmen allegedly kidnapped but later abandoned a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, Budo Aare, in Itesiwaju Local Council of Oyo State, Kolawale Matthew Owoade, popularly known as Onaiye.

The incident occurred last weekend, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The victim’s son, Abiola Owoade, said: “The incident happened when my father was returning from his farm at Budo Aare within this local council.

“Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release.

“However, at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, a search team recovered his motorcycle abandoned in the bush.”

However, Oyo State Police Command said it had secured the safe release of Owoade.

The Command said the victim regained his freedom, yesterday, following sustained pressure mounted on the abductors through a coordinated joint security operation.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said that the immediate deployment of security personnel and intensive investigative efforts forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim.
HOWEVER, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has raised concern over the abduction of the headteacher.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the NUT described the development as disturbing and another reminder of the growing security challenges facing teachers and education workers across the country.

The NUT leadership, therefore, called on government, security agencies, and relevant authorities to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate rescue of the abducted headmaster and ensuring the safety of teachers and all citizens within the communities and their workplaces.

ALSO, a Yoruba cultural advocate and Lead of Abinibi Hub, Bunmi Adetona, has appealed to the Oyo State Government to immortalise the late Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Council, by naming a secondary school after him.

Adetona appealed in a statement yesterday, following renewed calls by the late Mathematics teacher’s family for the recovery of his body, which remains missing nearly two months after the attack.

Oyedokun’s family had appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to recover his body to enable them to give him a befitting burial.

In a statement shared by his niece and family spokesperson, Oluwabukolami, the family said they were grateful for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers; even though their grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body had not been recovered.

THE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has donated a brand-new Toyota Camry to Mrs Alamu.

Alli, while presenting the vehicle, commended the principal for her exceptional bravery, composure and unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of the abducted pupils throughout the traumatic experience.

He described the donation as a modest token of appreciation for her courage and an expression of solidarity with victims of insecurity.