Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has appealed to residents to remain patient as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue teachers and pupils abducted from Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday, June 6, 2026, while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force led by the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Abubakar A. Suleh, during a courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Makinde said all hands were on deck to secure the safe return of the abductees, noting that the state government had received significant support from the Air Force since the incident occurred.
According to the governor, although the two Diamond-42 surveillance aircraft procured by the state government are still being assembled at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Lagos, the Air Force deployed one of its own Diamond-42 aircraft to support surveillance and rescue operations.
He explained that the deployment had enabled the government and security agencies to obtain real-time intelligence, which is currently being utilised in efforts to rescue the victims.
“We are distressed, but the support that we have received, especially from the Air Force, has given us a lot of encouragement and insight into what we are dealing with,” the governor said.
Makinde stated that the state government understood the challenges being faced by troops involved in the rescue operation and stressed that patience was necessary to ensure a successful outcome.
He commended the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday K. Aneke, as well as officers and men of the Air Force, for their commitment to the operation and for the special support extended to Oyo State.
The governor also explained that the decision to acquire the Diamond-42 aircraft was informed by consultations with the Air Force, which advised the state on a platform that could easily benefit from available maintenance facilities, engineering support and pilot training.
He disclosed that the surveillance aircraft would soon be deployed after assembly and expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Air Force on maintenance and personnel training.
Makinde further praised the cordial relationship between the Nigerian Air Force in Ibadan and the civilian population, assuring that his administration would continue to deepen cooperation with the military and fulfil its commitments, including support for the completion of facilities at the Air Force Base.
Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Suleh conveyed the apology of the Chief of Air Staff, who was unable to lead the delegation due to another national assignment.
He sympathised with the governor and residents of Oyo State over the abduction, describing kidnapping as a major national security challenge.
Suleh assured the state government that the Nigerian Air Force remained committed to supporting efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the victims and restoring normalcy to the affected communities.
He also appreciated the Makinde administration for its support to Air Force operations in the state, particularly in the construction of the perimeter fence of the Air Force School at Iyana Offa, the dualisation of the Air Force Base Road in Ajia, and the allocation of land for post-service housing schemes and farming projects.
The meeting was attended by top government and security officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff, Kazeem Adeniyi; Special Adviser on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro; Executive Adviser on Security Coordination, Lukman Tokunbo Omoniyi; Executive Assistant on Security, Sunday Odukoya; and the Commandant of Amotekun, Bisiriyu Olayinka Olayanju.
