A Federal Government delegation on Sunday visited the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State to meet community leaders and the families of teachers, students, and pupils abducted from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on 15 May 2026.

The delegation was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu; the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Joseph Tegbe; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

Gbajabiamila delivered President Bola Tinubu’s message to the grieving communities, stating that the President shares their sorrow and concern at this difficult time.

According to him, Tinubu has directed all security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers and ensure their safe return.

He noted that the President had seen videos of some of the captives appealing to the government not to adopt a violent approach in resolving the situation.

Gbajabiamila assured residents that the rescue operation would be intelligence-driven, with the overriding objective of ensuring the victims return home safely.

He added that a support system, including trauma counselling services, would be provided for affected families, stressing that the safety of every Nigerian child and citizen remains a priority for the administration.

Speaking during the visit, Ribadu described the abduction of infants and young children as a disturbing new tactic by criminal groups and expressed confidence that the country’s security challenges would ultimately be overcome.

He disclosed that forest guards would be deployed to Oyo State, particularly around schools in rural communities, to enhance security and protect children.

In his remarks, Gen. Musa urged community leaders to work closely with security personnel deployed to the area.

He revealed that the entire Oriire community was being monitored through advanced technological surveillance systems and appealed to residents to promptly report suspicious individuals or activities that could assist ongoing rescue operations.

During the visit, the delegation met with community leaders and relatives of the victims as efforts continued to secure the release of those still being held captive.

The high-level visit came amid growing public concern over the incident, which has triggered protests and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and rural communities across Oyo State.

A day earlier, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde visited Ogbomoso and reassured residents that his administration would continue to deploy every available resource towards securing the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.

Addressing members of the community, Makinde appealed for patience, understanding, and cooperation, urging residents not to apportion blame to either the Federal Government or the state government, but instead to unite behind efforts to rescue the victims.

The governor sympathised with the affected families and the wider community, describing the incident as unprecedented, particularly because it involved the abduction of underage children.

He said he shared in the pain and anguish of the victims’ families, adding that regardless of any grievances the abductors might claim to have, their actions remained cruel, unacceptable, and inhumane.

Makinde also recalled the sacrifices made by operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, some of whom have lost their lives while confronting security threats across the state.

He disclosed that since the abduction occurred, he had been holding security meetings twice daily and working closely with relevant agencies to facilitate the safe return of the victims.

The governor further commended security commanders for their dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property in the state and urged residents to continue praying for the success of ongoing rescue efforts.

“Don’t cry. I have come here today because of you. You installed this government. I want to let you know that this government is responsible for you. By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers.

“Please, I want you to cooperate with us because we are doing everything humanly possible to get our children and teachers back,” Makinde said.

He added: “This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and the Federal Government. This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers.

“I feel your pain, but have trust in us.”

The abduction occurred on 15 May when gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping 45 pupils and teachers.

Days later, one of the abducted teachers, reportedly a Mathematics teacher, was said to have been killed by the attackers.

The incident drew widespread condemnation, with both Governor Makinde and President Tinubu promising swift action to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

However, with many of the abductees still in captivity more than two weeks after the attack, anxiety has continued to mount across Oyo State and beyond.

The growing frustration culminated in a peaceful protest last Monday in Ogbomoso, where teachers suspended classroom activities and marched to the office of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to demand urgent government intervention.

Carrying placards bearing various inscriptions, the protesters called on authorities at all levels to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

They also urged the government to strengthen security around schools and guarantee safer learning environments for students, teachers, and other education workers.