School abductions: Tinubu deploys high-powered delegation to Oyo

President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a high-powered delegation to Oyo state following the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA.

The delegation, led by Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff arrived in Ogbomoso on Sunday and is expected to visit the affected communities where armed men reportedly abducted about 46 pupils and teachers during coordinated attacks on Baptist nursery and primary school and other locations.

Other members of the delegation include Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, Tunde Disu, inspector-general of police, Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff, Joseph Tegbe, minister of power and Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president on public communications.

Disclosing the development in a post on X, Dare said President Tinubu had activated coordinated efforts to secure the release of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“A powerful Presidential Delegation just arrived Ogbomoso en route to the villages of Esiele and Yawota where armed men simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary schools seizing about 46 pupils and teachers,” Dare stated.

He added that the President had directed security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure those responsible for the attack are apprehended.

The abductions, which occurred in the Ogbomoso axis of Oyo State, have triggered nationwide concern and renewed calls for urgent action against rising insecurity.

The presidential visit comes amid growing anxiety among residents and families of the abducted victims, who have appealed to both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to ensure their safe release.

Although security agencies are yet to provide an official update on the whereabouts of the victims, rescue operations are said to be ongoing.