President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards alongside the dispatch of a specialized rescue squad following the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made this known in an official statement on Sunday.
The announcement followed a visit by a Federal Government delegation to the Esiele and Yawota communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where pupils and teachers were snatched from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026.
The statement read in part: “As part of immediate measures to strengthen security in the area, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government. The delegation also informed community leaders and lawmakers that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be conveyed to the President for consideration and approval.”
Furthermore, the President has ordered a dedicated security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to scale up operations to free the captive school children and educators.
The high-powered delegation was spearheaded by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and featured the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare. During the visit, they expressed President Tinubu’s profound worry regarding the attack and his unwavering resolve to bring the victims back safely.
While speaking to the local residents, Gbajabiamila emphasized that Tinubu’s choice to send the country’s top security chiefs straight to the affected villages proves his readiness to use all available resources to secure the freedom of those captured.
He said: “Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective. Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms. Mr. President also saw the appeals from some parents and community members urging caution in the rescue efforts. Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims.”
As part of their itinerary, the delegation paid a visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso land, HRM Kabiyesi Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to offer condolences to the monarch and his subjects. They also spent time comforting Mary Oyedokun, the widow of a school teacher who lost his life in the incident, and her two children.
