“Oyo School Abduction Occurred Hours After My 2027 Presidential Declaration, Says Makinde as All Victims Regain Freedom”
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has stated that the abduction of students and staff from a secondary school in the state occurred only hours after he publicly declared his intention to contest Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, raising questions about the timing of the incident.
Speaking during the official reception for the rescued victims, Makinde noted that while he would not speculate on any connection between the kidnapping and his political declaration, the sequence of events was significant. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring that criminal activities do not undermine public confidence in the state’s security efforts.
The governor confirmed that all the abducted victims have now been safely rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. He commended security agencies, intelligence operatives, local authorities, and community stakeholders for their coordinated efforts, which led to the successful recovery of the victims without further loss of life.
The school abduction had sparked nationwide concern over the resurgence of mass kidnappings targeting educational institutions in Nigeria. The incident renewed calls for stronger security around schools and more effective measures to combat kidnapping networks operating across different parts of the country.
Makinde assured residents that his administration would continue strengthening security infrastructure, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with federal security agencies to safeguard communities and educational institutions across Oyo State.