By Iyabo Adebisi
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has confirmed the killing of a kidnapped Maths teacher abducted alongside other teachers and pupils in Ahoro Esinle Community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Governor Makinde disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after a security review meeting with his security advisers and service commanders.
The governor said the state government received a video confirming the teacher’s death.
He said, “What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand the Maths teacher, was killed by the terrorists this morning. Of course, our prayers are with the family.”
Governor Makinde sympathised with the family of the deceased teacher and also appealed for calm as efforts intensify to rescue the remaining abducted victims.
He said, “First, let me appeal to the families that are involved that their government is working round the clock to ensure that we tackle this challenge. And, for our troops and our service commanders, we have a few wounded soldiers and hunters and other operatives. They are recovering.”
“The government will continue to take responsibility for ensuring that they fully recover and look after their medical bills.”
The governor explained that available reports confirmed the abduction of seven teachers, while the exact number of kidnapped pupils had yet to be determined.
He also sympathised with families of members of the tactical team comprising soldiers, operatives of the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes, who encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the abductors during rescue operations.
According to him, injured security operatives are responding positively to treatment, while the state government will bear the cost of their medical care.
Governor Makinde said the government was deploying multiple strategies to secure the safe return of the victims.
“We have decided that we will adopt not just the kinetic approach. But there have been a lot of threats and tempers have been rising, especially from a lot of our leaders, elders and religious leaders. We have heard and seen your reactions and I want to say that we are not taking this lightly.”
“I want to appeal to everybody; citizens, residents, particularly those in Oriire Local Government and the rest of Oyo State that we are doing everything within our power to ensure that we resolve this situation quickly and bring our children back safely. But we must recognise that it is a very difficult and challenging situation.”
The governor further disclosed that some suspects had already been arrested in connection with the incident, indicating progress in ongoing rescue and security operations.
Responding to questions on collaboration with neighbouring states to curb the influx of terrorists, Governor Makinde explained that sustained military offensives against bandits and terrorists in the North-West and North-East were forcing them to move southward.
He stressed that while security agencies were mounting pressure from one end, states in the South-West must also strengthen efforts to repel and neutralise emerging threats.
Governor Makinde assured residents that the public would continue to receive daily briefings on developments surrounding the rescue efforts.
Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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