Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has called for greater collaboration among all levels of government to tackle insecurity and secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The governor made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving members and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who staged a peaceful solidarity rally demanding the safe return of the abductees.
Makinde described the incident as a national tragedy, stressing that the situation should not be politicised or used as a platform for assigning blame.
“I have had the opportunity to engage with the leadership of NANS, NUT and NLC.
”Let me say this clearly: this is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blame and to play politics. I am personally distressed,” the governor said.
Reflecting on his personal connection to the affected area, Makinde recalled that his father worked as a primary school teacher in a nearby community decades ago.
“My own father was a primary school teacher. He actually taught at Ahoro Dada, which is less than 15 kilometres to where this incident happened.
”My father was there between 1959 and 1960 and if something like this had happened to him, maybe I wouldn’t have even been born,” he stated.
The governor urged Nigerians to focus on collective action rather than political differences, insisting that the challenge requires a united response.
“So, it is not the time for us to say, ‘It is the president that should have handled this, it is the governor or the local government.’ This is the time to pull together as one,” he said.
Makinde also condemned the brutality of the attackers, describing their actions as inhumane and difficult to comprehend.
“We are not dealing with normal human beings. Just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? Is that somebody who is normal?
“So, these are not normal people. I can only appeal to you, the students, the workers, the teachers, to please have trust in your government. We are doing our best.”
The governor assured the protesters that both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government are working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers.
According to him, discussions with federal authorities and security personnel have been ongoing over the past two weeks as efforts continue to bring the victims home safely.
“I have heard from the Federal Government, and I have been meeting with the security operatives sent here over the past two weeks.
”We shouldn’t provide oxygen to the people who want to see us divided,” he said.
“The response at this time should be to pull together and allow the government to see this through.
”I can give you the assurance that our children and their teachers, by the grace of God, will return safely, ” he added.
Makinde warned that insecurity remains one of the biggest threats to development, noting that education, healthcare and economic activities cannot thrive in an unsafe environment.
“In an atmosphere of insecurity, virtually nothing can be achieved. Nothing. Schools, hospitals, and economic activities will all be grounded.
”We know this, and because we’re not dealing with normal human beings, it is going to be a tortuous journey.
“All I will say is that from the presidency to the state, we will continue to put in our efforts.
“But in the meantime, please, and please, and please, it is time to unite, to confront the challenges that we have, and to bring back those children and our teachers,” he added.
The governor also assured labour leaders, teachers and students that his administration would consider proposals aimed at strengthening the state’s security architecture once the abductees are rescued.
In their separate remarks, NANS National President Akinteye Babatunde, Oyo State NLC Chairman Kayode Martins and NUT Chairman in Oyo State, Hassan Fatai, commended the governor’s response to the crisis while urging him to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
The groups condemned the kidnapping and killing of innocent citizens, describing those responsible as enemies of the nation.
They also pledged support for the state government and called for stronger security measures, particularly around schools, to create a safer learning environment for pupils and teachers.
The students and teachers were abducted about two weeks ago, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage, protests and renewed concerns over the security of schools across the country.
