Families of dozens of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State are enduring growing anguish as the victims remain in captivity one month after they were seized by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area.
The pupils and their teachers were kidnapped on May 15 from Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities, with their whereabouts believed to be deep inside the Oyo National Park forest.
Despite assurances from President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies, the captives have yet to regain their freedom, leaving families trapped in a cycle of fear, uncertainty and heartbreak.
Parents say the emotional burden has become unbearable as they continue to ask whether their children are alive, healthy and receiving adequate care. Many families have reportedly spent their savings travelling between security offices and community leaders in search of information.
The prolonged captivity has also disrupted education across affected communities. School attendance has fallen sharply, while fear of further attacks has spread beyond Oyo to neighbouring states including Ogun State, Osun State, Ekiti State and Ondo State.
The crisis deepened following the reported death of teacher Michael Oyedokun while in captivity, fuelling concerns over the welfare of the remaining hostages.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, described the situation as alarming, warning that kidnapping and banditry are becoming increasingly common in the South-West. He urged authorities to act swiftly and raised concerns about the condition of the abducted children, particularly female pupils.
Similarly, Afenifere spokesman Jare Ajayi called the continued detention of the children “painful and unacceptable”, urging South-West governors to strengthen security coordination and community protection measures.
Hope of a breakthrough emerged after a presidency source disclosed that negotiations with the kidnappers were progressing and could lead to the captives’ release as early as this week. The source said security forces had surrounded the terrorists’ location but were avoiding a forceful operation because improvised explosive devices had reportedly been planted around the camp.
According to the source, authorities are pursuing a non-kinetic strategy that includes negotiations while maintaining surveillance of the area. The government is said to have ruled out any exchange involving the release of high-profile terrorist leaders.
Governor Makinde, speaking during a meeting with Deputy Inspector-General of Police Olatoye Fayoade in Ibadan, described the abduction as one of the most traumatic incidents in the state’s recent history.
“Today marks exactly one month since the children and their teachers were abducted. It has been a traumatic and depressing situation for us as a government and for the people of Oyo,” he said.
Fayoade assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to securing the victims’ release and would continue rescue efforts until all those abducted were reunited with their families.
In a separate development, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA rescued the wife of late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar after a gun battle with bandits in Katsina State.
However, tragedy struck in Kwara State as the traditional ruler of Olayinka community, Salman Olatunji Aweda, was confirmed dead in captivity after efforts to secure his release failed.
