Old Oyo national park remains hideout of kidnapped pupils, teachers — Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that students and teachers abducted by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of the state nearly a month ago are still being held within the Old Oyo National Park.

Makinde made the disclosure in his Newsletter No. 140 released on Friday, assuring residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ safe release.

According to the governor, it has been 27 days since the schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted, leaving their families and communities worried about their fate.

The victims were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esinle on May 15, 2026.

Makinde acknowledged the anxiety and pain being experienced by the affected families, noting that while the government remains committed to rescuing the victims, he understands the concerns of relatives who have continued to wait for their return.

He said intelligence reports indicate that the abductees remain within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis, a vast forest area spanning about 2,500 square kilometres across ten local government areas of the state.

The governor explained that the size and difficult terrain of the park have complicated rescue efforts, requiring careful planning, sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations.

He, however, assured residents that security agencies have not relented in their efforts, stressing that every credible lead is being pursued to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.

Makinde urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the state’s toll-free emergency line, 615, adding that all useful information would be treated promptly.

He also cautioned against the spread of unverified reports concerning the abduction, warning that misinformation could undermine ongoing rescue operations and compromise security efforts.

The governor appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information and to keep the abducted students and teachers in their prayers as efforts to secure their freedom continue.