Oyo school abduction: Rescue efforts ongoing – Husband of kidnapped principal

By James Ogunnaike

Husband of the abducted principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Professor Wole Alamu, has disclosed that intensive efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the kidnapped pupils, teachers and school administrators.

Professor Alamu, whose wife, Mrs Folawe Alamu, was among those abducted during the attack on schools in the Esiele community, disclosed this on Wednesday, during a telephone interview with Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.

While expressing optimism over ongoing rescue operations, the university don appealed to the public and the media to exercise restraint in discussing security strategies surrounding the incident, warning that careless disclosures could undermine efforts to free the victims.

“We are going to grant interview, but not now. The work is seriously being done underneath. Anything you say now may jeopardise the rescue operations,” he stated.

Professor Alamu also praised Governor Seyi Makinde and security operatives for what he described as coordinated and relentless efforts aimed at ensuring the safe return of the abductees.

The incident, which has continued to generate nationwide concern, followed a coordinated attack by armed hoodlums on schools within the Esiele community, including Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A. Primary School.

During the attack, several pupils, teachers and school administrators were reportedly whisked away, while a teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun was killed.

The Oyo State Police Command had earlier confirmed the killing of an assistant headmaster, Mr Adesiyan, as well as an okada rider during the invasion.

A viral video which surfaced online last Friday showed Mrs. Folawe Alamu emotionally appealing to the Federal Government, Oyo State government, security agencies, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and facilitate their release.

In the footage, the visibly distressed principal lamented that the victims had remained in captivity since the attack.

Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified operations across the affected communities and surrounding forest corridors believed to be harbouring the kidnappers.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was also reported to have arrived in Oyo State to personally supervise a technology-driven rescue operation involving the deployment of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT.

Governor Makinde had equally disclosed that two newly acquired surveillance aircraft were being prepared to provide aerial intelligence over forests suspected to be hideouts of the abductors.

Security agencies further revealed that several suspects had been arrested for allegedly aiding the kidnappers by serving as informants and helping them navigate routes within the Old Oyo National Park.

The Oyo State government, however, maintained that although it remained open to dialogue that could facilitate the release of the victims, it would not pay ransom to the abductors.

Reacting to the development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killing of one of the abducted teachers, describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President assured Nigerians that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.

President Tinubu also renewed his call for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to expedite legislative processes towards its creation as part of measures to tackle insecurity across vulnerable communities in the country.

Vanguard News

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