President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and directed a specialised security unit to intensify efforts aimed at rescuing dozens of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The presidential directive was conveyed on Sunday by a high-powered Federal Government delegation that visited the affected Esiele and Yawota communities, where armed men kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers on May 15, 2026.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation informed community leaders that the Federal Government was taking urgent measures to secure the release of the captives and strengthen security in the area.
The team was led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd.); and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Addressing residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila assured the communities that President Tinubu remained deeply concerned about the plight of the abducted victims and was committed to ensuring their safe return.
“Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he said, adding that rescue efforts would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated using both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
The Chief of Staff also disclosed that requests by community leaders for the establishment of a military base in the area had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
As part of efforts to strengthen security around the forested region where kidnappers are believed to be operating, Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government.
Defence Minister Musa reiterated the President’s commitment to addressing insecurity in the area and called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information.
The abduction occurred when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities, carting away pupils and teachers. During the attack, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed, while a motorcyclist and a security operative also lost their lives during rescue attempts.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has declared an indefinite strike across public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State over the continued captivity of the victims.
In a directive signed by NUT National President Audu Amba and Secretary-General Dr Clinton Ikpitibo, the union ordered teachers to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, 2026, until all abducted teachers and learners are safely released.
The union described the conditions under which the victims are being held as “horrifying, inhumane and traumatic,” expressing frustration over the lack of progress in securing their freedom despite repeated appeals to authorities.
The NUT also directed all state chapters nationwide to organise solidarity rallies on June 2 to demand stronger protection for schools, teachers and students across the country.
Confirming the action, Amba said teachers in Oyo State had been instructed to remain at home until further notice.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who recently met with families of the victims, appealed for unity and patience, assuring residents that security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the release of the abductees.
The crisis has continued to attract reactions from various groups. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged the United Nations to pay closer attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, while the Nigerian Baptist Convention called for stronger collaboration among governments, traditional rulers and community leaders to tackle the growing threat of kidnapping.
As anxiety grows among families of the captives, the Federal Government has pledged that no effort will be spared in bringing the victims home safely and preventing future attacks on schools in the country.