…Approves 1,000 forest guards
…Deploys specialised rescue unit
…As FG delegation visits troubled communities
President Bola Tinubu bas sent a message of hope to families of abducted schoolchildren and teachers abducted in three schools in Esiele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State that their children, wives, husbands, and grandchildren will return safely to their arms.
The assurance came as the President approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free the victims.
As gathered, for 16 agonising days, parents in the quiet farming communities of Esiele and Yawota have gone to bed with empty homes and woken up to yet-to-be answered prayers.
The reassurance was delivered by a high-powered Federal Government delegation, led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during visits to the traumatised Esiele and Yawota communities on Sunday.
The presidential delegation visited the affected communities a day after Governor Seyi Makinde o Oyo State, visited the same communities and assured them of safe return of the victims. The affected families has appealed to President Tinubu and Governor Makinde to intensify efforts to rescue the abductees from their abductors safely.
Gbajabiamila, who stood before anxious residents, some of whom have pleaded for caution in rescue efforts for fear of endangering lives of the captives, said the President was personally disturbed by the tragedy.
“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,” he assured.
Addressing concerns from parents, who fear aggressive rescue tactics could worsen the situation, he stated that the operation would prioritise the safety of victims.
“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.
“Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms.”
The delegation, which included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd); Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Tegbe; and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, also informed residents that requests for a military base in the area had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
As part of fresh security measures, the Federal Government approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government to strengthen security surveillance around the forest corridors believed to be serving as hideouts for the abductors.
The visit also took an emotional turn when the delegation visited the family of the late mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded by the abductors to probably send fears down the spines of critical stakeholders on rescue mission.
Gbajabiamila met the late teacher’s widow, Mrs Mary Oyedokun, and their two children, and conveyed President Tinubu’s personal condolences to them. He assured the grieving family that they would not be abandoned.
The delegation later visited the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland to commiserate with the traditional ruler and residents over the attacks.
The abductions occurred on May 15 when heavily armed men stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities, abducting 39 pupils a d seven teachers.
The attack left a trail of blood and grief as another teacher and a motorcyclist were killed during the attack. A security operative was also said to have lost his life after encountering improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during early rescue operations.
