Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities in Oriire Local Government Area remain within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis.
In his Newsletter No. 140 released on Friday, Makinde said security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ release, 27 days after the abduction.
The governor acknowledged the pain and uncertainty the prolonged captivity had caused families and communities, admitting that his repeated assurances of a safe return might now sound hollow given that the victims were yet to be rescued. He, however, urged residents to trust that the government remained committed to bringing them home.
“We cannot share the details of what we are doing, but you can rest assured that every single day, we continue to pursue every credible lead and take every lawful action available to us to secure their release,” he said.
Makinde said intelligence reports indicated the victims remained within the Old Oyo National Park corridor, an area spanning roughly 2,500 square kilometres across 10 local government areas, which he said posed major operational challenges due to its size and difficult terrain.
He assured families that their loved ones had not been forgotten and remained central to ongoing rescue efforts.
The governor urged residents to report suspicious activities via the Oyo State Citizens Enquiry Number, 615, a toll-free line available 24/7. He also cautioned against spreading unverified information, warning that misinformation could jeopardise rescue operations, and appealed to residents to remain vigilant, support security agencies, and continue praying for the victims’ safe return.
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