Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of the state are being held in the Old Oyo National Park.
Makunde said this on Friday while giving an update on the rescue efforts of the kidnapped victims nearly four weeks after their abduction.
The governor said that security agencies were making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the victims who were whisked away during coordinated attacks on schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities on May 15, 2026.
Intelligence reports show that the abductees are still within the sprawling Old Oyo National Park, which covers about 2,500 square kilometres across 10 local government areas in Oyo State, he said.
The vast and difficult terrain of the park has created operational challenges for security personnel, requiring careful planning, coordination and sustained efforts to achieve a successful rescue mission, Makinde pointed out.
The governor however assured residents that all credible leads are being pursued and all lawful measures are being deployed to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed. He also urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity through the state’s toll-free emergency number, 615.
He cautioned against the spread of unverified information, noting that misinformation could hamper the ongoing rescue operations, and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information and to keep the abducted students and teachers in their prayers as efforts to secure their freedom continue.
“One thing I can say is that our security reports indicate that they are still within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis. It covers some 2,500 square kilometres and is a huge area that spans parts of 10 local government areas in our State.
I say this not to discourage anyone, but to help us understand the scale of the challenge that lies ahead of us. This is not a problem peculiar to the Oriire Local Government Area.
“It’s an issue that concerns all of us. The size and terrain of the area requires patience, coordination and perseverance. That also means vigilance by members of the public remains very important,” he said.
