By Adesakin Adefemi
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered a specialised security unit to intensify efforts to free abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The move came as the Nigeria Union of Teachers declared an indefinite strike across the state.
The directive was conveyed by a high-powered Federal Government delegation that visited Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The team was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, and Defence Minister General Christopher Musa.
Addressing residents, Gbajabiamila said the President was deeply troubled by the incident and determined to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release. He assured parents that the rescue operation would be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
The forest guards will be recruited in collaboration with the Oyo State Government. Defence Minister Musa said other security requests from the communities would also be reviewed. Community leaders had earlier asked for a military base and improved mobile network coverage in the area.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities. A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded during the attack, and a motorcyclist and a security personnel were also killed.
A two-year-old infant and a school principal are among the confirmed captives. Videos later showed the abducted principal and a teacher making emotional appeals to Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde for help, saying they were held in harsh conditions and exposed to rain and extreme weather.
Governor Makinde, who visited Ahoro Esiele on Saturday, urged residents not to trade blame between the state and federal governments. He said security meetings had been held twice daily since the abduction and praised Amotekun operatives who lost their lives tackling insecurity in the state.
The NUT on Sunday declared an indefinite withdrawal of services by all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State from Monday, June 1, 2026. The union said the continued captivity of teachers and students, and reports of killings among them, left it with no choice but to act.
The union also directed all state chapters nationwide to hold solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2, terminating at Government Houses, to press for safer schools and the release of the victims. The Oyo State wing of the NUT confirmed full compliance and urged members to remain law-abiding while awaiting further developments.
