Vows Safe Return of Abducted Pupils
An Army lieutenant has been killed during a military operation to rescue schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed.
The tragic development highlights the growing security challenges facing authorities as efforts intensify to secure the release of victims kidnapped during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
Army Officer Dies in Rescue Operation
Speaking to protesters in Ibadan on Tuesday, Governor Makinde disclosed that the Nigerian Army officer lost his life while participating in an operation aimed at rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers.
According to the governor, the officer was killed two days before his address, making it the first officially confirmed fatality among security personnel involved in the ongoing rescue mission.
”We have lost men, even soldiers and officers. I can confirm that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago,” Makinde said.
Although details surrounding the incident remain undisclosed, the governor noted that the death underscores the risks being faced by security operatives working to free the captives.
Oyo School Abduction Sparks Public Outrage
The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed attackers invaded Community High School in Esiele, L.A. Primary School in Yawota, and another nearby school within Oriire Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the gunmen moved the victims into the vast Old Oyo National Park, a forest reserve that has become increasingly vulnerable to criminal activities.
The kidnapping triggered widespread concern among residents, parents, teachers, and civil society organizations, leading to protests demanding immediate government intervention.
Governor Makinde: “Oyo Will Not Become Another Chibok”
Governor Makinde assured residents that security agencies are working around the clock to rescue the victims while minimizing casualties among both captives and rescue personnel.
In one of the strongest statements since the incident occurred, the governor emphasized that Oyo State would not experience a prolonged kidnapping crisis similar to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction.
”Oyo State is not Chibok, and it will not be Chibok,” he declared.
The governor stressed that authorities are carefully balancing aggressive rescue efforts with strategies designed to protect the lives of the hostages.
Teacher Killed by Kidnappers
The security situation became even more alarming following reports that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the kidnappers while others remain in captivity.
Makinde acknowledged the loss and reiterated the government’s determination to prevent further casualties.
”We’re doing everything possible. We’ve lost a teacher already. If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more,” he said.
Oyo Assembly Rejects Negotiation with Kidnappers
Earlier this month, the Oyo State House of Assembly rejected calls for negotiations with the abductors.
Lawmakers instead advocated stronger security measures around schools, including:
Deployment of additional security personnel
Improved surveillance systems
Enhanced emergency response mechanisms
Increased protection for vulnerable communities
The Assembly maintained that strengthening security infrastructure remains the most sustainable solution to tackling school kidnappings and protecting students across the state.
Security Challenges and the Way Forward
The killing of an Army lieutenant during the rescue mission highlights the dangerous realities confronting security forces in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping and banditry.
As rescue operations continue, residents remain hopeful that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers will be safely reunited with their families.
The incident has once again renewed calls for improved school security, better intelligence gathering, and stronger collaboration between security agencies to combat rising cases of abduction across the country.