Makinde reaffirms commitment to rescuing abducted schoolchildren and teachers

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State reiterated his pledge to rescue all schoolchildren and teachers who are currently held captive.

He made the statement on Tuesday while addressing protesters led by social media influencer and activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan.

The governor expressed his willingness to pursue every available option to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, emphasizing that preventing further loss of life remains a top priority.

He also indicated that more decisive measures would not be excluded if necessary.

“If you ask me, ‘Can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out?’ I will do it,” he said.

“We’re doing everything possible, including what VDM suggested. But if there’s potential for needless loss of lives and we can avoid losing more, we will,” he added.

“But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it,” the governor continued.

Makinde did not disclose specific details of the ongoing operation for security reasons but assured that the state’s current security framework is capable of securing the release of the abductees.

He thanked the protesters for their efforts and for conducting themselves peacefully.

Earlier, VDM, speaking on behalf of the protesters, called for decisive action over the abduction and expressed the willingness of concerned Nigerians to support security operatives in the rescue mission.

He also urged the Oyo State government to expedite the rescue operation, warning that it must not repeat the experience of Chibok.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that some pupils, students and teachers were abducted on May 15 in Oriire LGA and that two people were killed during the incident.

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