Tinubu expresses sympathy over Oyo school abduction, orders deployment of special rescue unit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sympathy with families of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, assuring that the federal government is intensifying efforts to secure their safe return.

In a statement posted on his official X account, the President said no child should be taken from the safety of a classroom and no parent should be subjected to such trauma.

“I share the pain and anxiety of the affected families. No child should be taken from the safety of a classroom. No parent should have to endure this anguish,” Tinubu said.

The President disclosed that he has directed the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to strengthen ongoing operations aimed at rescuing the abducted victims.

He also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, following a federal delegation’s visit to the affected communities of Esiele and Yawota.

According to him, the measure is part of broader efforts to reinforce local security architecture and improve response to forest-based criminal activities.

Tinubu further noted that the request for the establishment of a military base in the area is receiving urgent consideration.

The victims were abducted on May 15 from schools in Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that has triggered widespread concern and led the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to declare an indefinite strike by public school teachers in Oyo State.