Respite came the way of the rescued Oriire abductees as the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, promised to support them throughout their trying period.
He stated this on Monday, while receiving the 39 pupils and five teachers who were victims of the Oriire abduction from the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Mechanised Division, Major-General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife.
The Oriire school pupils and their teachers, who were abducted on 15 May, 2026, were rescued from their abductors on Friday through a combined effort of security agencies.
Makinde assured that the state’s medical team would watch the rescued abductees for another 24 to 48 hours to be sure they were out of danger medically before they were reunited with their families.
He, however, directed that the family members should be allowed access to their rescued loved ones, adding that the government cannot undo what was done to the victims and their psyche in 56 days.
Support for rescued Oriire abductees
“To our teachers and students, I know it is a long road to recovery. What you have passed through in 56 days, we cannot undo in 56 months. But I want to give you an assurance that we will support you through this period.
“I know that the affected Baptist school is not a government school but we will sit down with both the teachers and the students from that particular school.
“The state government will do everything possible to ensure that there is no disruption to your careers, and there is no disruption to the education of those students.
“We will also keep supporting you, especially during this period. Professor [Temitope] Alonge briefed me on the efforts he and the Medical Team are making. They will still need to continue to see all of you.
“I believe that we need another 24 to 48 hours maximum to allow you to go home because we don’t want any disaster after this.
“We want to be sure that medically, you are okay. However, the parents should be allowed to have access to them.
“We also want to be sure that while you have been reunited with your family members, we can provide support that will, at least, take you through this immediate time.
“So, on behalf of the Government of Oyo State, we now officially take responsibility for the teachers and the students and the state government will provide the necessary support,” Makinde said.
Earlier, the governor had called for a minute of silence in honour of the slain teachers as well as those who lost their lives to the rescue operation.
He also seized the opportunity to officially appreciate President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his support throughout the ordeal.
This was as he thanked the leadership of all security agencies, Nigerians and people across the world for working hard and standing with Oyo State while the situation lasted.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and the people of Oyo State, I would like to say thank you to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support in seeing this through.
“Also, I thank all the leadership of the security agencies in Nigeria, because quite frankly, I am still short of words because this has happened all over the country with its challenges, but when it came to Oyo State, it was totally different.
“The whole world, in unison, kept calling for the safe return of the teachers and the students. So, I can only thank the Almighty God for his grace over this state.
“I have been in office for seven-plus years. This is my very first time of witnessing something like this. It had never happened in Oyo State, and I do pray that this is the last time we witness anything like this.”
Also speaking, the GOC, Major-General Nnebeife, explained how the security agencies succeeded in rescuing the victims safely, and appreciated Governor Makinde for his support throughout the operation.
He said: “We focused on dismantling their networks and cutting off their logistics. We went in with some of the hunters and local vigilantes.
“We thank God and all the security agencies for the good work. And I must thank the governor too for his support.
“Now, the operation has come to an end, and we thank everyone for their support.”
Speaking at the event, Mrs Rachael Folawe Alamu, the principal of the Community Grammar School, Esinele, who was among the rescued individuals, thanked the president, Governor Makinde, security agencies and all Nigerians for standing by them through the 56-day ordeal.
She said: “For 56 days, we were in the bush but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot. What we believed was that Nigerians were praying for us.
“Many times, they tried to subdue us with fear. At a point, they told us that the government was not interested in our case again. But there were times we had hope that we would come out alive.
“So, all we want to do is to thank everybody, especially the officers, President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and everyone who has been in involved in this case.
“We have scars already but we believe we will heal with time and we pray that God will console the families of those who lost their lives.”
In his vote of thanks, Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security Coordination, Major-Gen Lukman Omoniyi (rtd), appreciated all the security agencies for the bravery and professionalism displayed during the rescue operation to secure the release of the teachers and pupils safely.
He equally thanked Governor Makinde for prompt actions and support to the rescue operation as well as his unwavering commitment to leadership, which brought hope of reunion with the families of the abductees.
He restated the commitment of the Oyo State Government to the safety of all schools in the state.
Present at the handing over of the rescued individuals were Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, PhD;
Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Adenike Fasina, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Biodun Aikomo;
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni and Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Others included the state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga and other service commanders; chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, Comrade Hassan Fatai and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode, among others.
