Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area will be rescued safely, declaring that Oyo State “is not Chibok and will never be Chibok.”
The governor made the statement on Tuesday while addressing protesters led by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who staged a demonstration in Ibadan over growing concerns about insecurity and kidnapping incidents in the state.
The protest followed a series of abductions across Oyo State, with participants calling on the government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims and strengthen security measures.
Speaking at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, Makinde stressed that his administration remained fully committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers.
“Let me make it very clear: Oyo State is not Chibok and will not become Chibok. We have lost men, including soldiers and security personnel, in the course of operations. A lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago, and we have also lost a teacher. We will do everything possible to prevent further loss of lives,” the governor said.
He noted that while security operations often come with risks, every effort was being made to ensure the victims were rescued unharmed.
Makinde also expressed support for citizens exercising their right to protest, saying he understood the concerns of the demonstrators.
“If I were not in government, I would probably be standing with you in protest. There is nothing wrong with citizens demanding accountability from their leaders. Sometimes, progress requires agitation, advocacy and peaceful demonstrations,” he said.
The governor accepted responsibility for addressing the crisis but explained that state governments do not have full control over security agencies under Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
“I will not shift blame. However, the reality is that state governments do not command all security agencies. I can meet with the Commissioner of Police, but I cannot deploy officers without the necessary approvals from higher authorities. The same applies to the military,” he explained.
Makinde recalled that security had been one of the key priorities of his administration since assuming office, leading to the establishment of the state security outfit, Amotekun Corps.
“Security has always been central to this administration. That was why we created Amotekun. Unfortunately, the outfit has not been adequately armed, and that remains one of the challenges we face,” he stated.
The governor said the prolonged captivity of the pupils and teachers had been deeply troubling to him, especially as a parent.
“I am distressed by what has happened because I also have children. It has now been more than a month since the abduction. While I cannot reveal operational details, I can assure you that there is no information indicating that any of the children or their teachers have died,” he said.
According to him, the rescue effort requires extraordinary caution because of the ages of the victims.
“This is the first time in Nigeria that nursery and primary school pupils have been abducted in this manner. These are very young children who cannot fend for themselves. The operation to rescue them is highly sensitive, and we must proceed carefully to ensure their safety,” he added.
Makinde assured residents that the government remained actively engaged with all relevant stakeholders to secure the release of the victims.
“I want to assure the people of Oyo State that these children will be brought home. Communication is ongoing. Ordinarily, governments do not negotiate with bandits because it can undermine state authority, but this is an exceptional situation. If we want these children back alive, we must explore every available option,” he said.
The governor further pledged to strengthen security measures after the victims are rescued to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
“Once these children return safely, we will ensure that lessons are learned and that such an incident does not happen again in Oyo State,” he said.
He lamented the wider impact of insecurity on national development, noting that education, farming and economic activities often suffer in unstable environments.
“Nigeria does not deserve this situation. Insecurity disrupts education, drives farmers away from their land and threatens food security. It affects every aspect of society,” he said.
Makinde also commended the protesters for maintaining peace throughout the demonstration.
“We have monitored the protest from the beginning. You have conducted yourselves peacefully and responsibly. I encourage you to continue in that manner,” he said.
Earlier, VeryDarkMan said the protest was intended to demand urgent action and greater transparency regarding efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers.
He expressed concern over the lack of information about the victims’ condition and criticised the length of time they had remained in captivity.
“We are here because we want answers. If necessary, we are ready to volunteer and support security agencies in any lawful way possible to ensure these children are rescued,” he said.
The activist noted that many residents remained worried because little information had been made public about the victims.
“As we speak, nobody knows the exact condition of the children. We do not know whether they are alive or not. More than 45 pupils and their teachers were taken into the bush, and reports indicate that one of the teachers has already been killed. It is a painful situation,” he said.
VeryDarkMan urged the government to provide clear updates on the rescue operation and timeline for the victims’ return.
“We want to know what the government’s plan is and when these children will finally be reunited with their families,” he stated.
Makinde Vows Safe Return of Abducted Pupils, Says Oyo ‘Will Never Be Chibok’
