School abductions: Tinubu dispatches high-powered delegation to Oyo

A high-powered presidential delegation has arrived in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, following the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

The delegation is led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and includes the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu; the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe; and the Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

The delegation is expected to visit the affected communities where armed men reportedly raided Baptist Nursery and Primary School and other locations, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers.

The incident occurred in the Ogbomoso axis of Oyo State and has sparked widespread concern across the country.

According to The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who disclosed the development in a post on X on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu had already activated a series of coordinated efforts aimed at securing the release of the victims and apprehending those responsible for the attack.

“A powerful Presidential Delegation just arrived Ogbomoso en route to the villages of Esiele and Yawota where armed men simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary schools seizing about 46 pupils and teachers,” Dare wrote.

He added that the President had directed security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The visit comes amid growing anxiety among residents and relatives of the abducted victims, who have continued to appeal to both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to secure the safe release of those still in captivity.

Security agencies have yet to provide an official update on the whereabouts of the abductees, but rescue efforts are said to be ongoing.