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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday described the abductors of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area as “abnormal people,” saying the government was confronting dangerous criminals who have no regard for human life.
Makinde made the remark while addressing members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders who staged a peaceful solidarity and advocacy protest at the Government Secretariat, Ibadan, over the continued captivity of the victims.
The governor, who appealed for unity and patience, said the ongoing rescue efforts should not be politicised, stressing that the security challenge requires collective action from all stakeholders.
“This is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blame. It is not the time to play politics,” Makinde said.
According to him, the kidnappers are not ordinary criminals but individuals whose actions show a complete disregard for human dignity and life.
“We’re not dealing with normal human beings. Just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? Is that somebody that is normal? These are not normal people.”
Makinde said he was personally disturbed by the abduction, recalling that his late father was a primary school teacher who once taught in a community located less than 15 kilometres from where the incident occurred.
“My father taught at Aoru Dada, very close to where this happened. If something like this had happened to him, perhaps I would not even have been born.”
The governor disclosed that security agencies, with support from both the federal and state governments, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers.
He revealed that security operatives had spent weeks in the affected area and that he had been holding regular meetings with them, sometimes several times a day, to monitor progress.
“I can only appeal to all the students, workers and teachers to have trust in your government. We are doing our best. We shouldn’t provide oxygen to those who want to see us divided,” Makinde said.
He assured the protesters that the government would continue to pursue every available option to ensure the victims return home safely.
“I can give you the assurance that our children and their teachers, by the grace of God, will return safely,” he stated.
The governor also acknowledged the fears expressed by teachers over insecurity in schools, saying government understood their concerns and would continue strengthening security measures across the state.
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He added that insecurity affects every aspect of society, including education, healthcare and economic activities, noting that lasting peace and development can only thrive in a secure environment.
The governor disclosed that federal security operatives have been in the state for the past two weeks, and that he meets with them at least three times daily to review rescue efforts.
”I can only appeal to the workers, teachers, students, to please have trust in government. We are doing our best.”
Makinde also warned against actions that could deepen divisions, saying, ”we shouldn’t provide oxygen to people that want to see us divided. The response at this time is to allow the government to see this through.”
He assured that the abducted pupils, students and teachers would return safely.
On the NUT’s decision to keep schools shut, the governor said teachers were free to decide on what to do. “But we will continue to ensure that we put in all the efforts together, from the presidency to the state, to the local government, to bring all our children and the teachers back.”
Makinde also called for ideas on long-term security reforms from the public after the rescue.
“If you have better ideas about the security architecture, what we can do in the medium to long term, please bring them to the table. We will listen to you and act appropriately, he assured.
Earlier, National President of NANS. Mr Akinteye Babatunde and the NUT state Chairman, Mr Hassan Fatai, in their separate remarks, charged the governor to do more in fast-tracking the release of those in captivity.
Babatunde said the nation’s student body condemned banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminal activities being perpetrated across the country.
He said the students’ body solidarised with governments in their efforts to combat banditry across the nation.
Fatai said teachers were now living in palpable fear and couldn’t attend classes with open mind anymore and appealed to the government to intensify efforts for the quick release of the abducted children and the teachers.
“We are also demanding that the security architecture of the state be improved in such a way that our children will be safe for teaching and learning. Our schools shouldn’t be subject to attack anymore,” he said.
The protest, organised by NANS, was part of a nationwide advocacy campaign demanding the immediate release of the abducted students and teachers and improved security around schools.
