President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security and combat criminal activities in forested communities affected by recent abductions.
The President also directed security agencies to deploy a specialised rescue squad equipped with advanced tactical and intelligence capabilities to intensify operations aimed at rescuing pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The presidential directives were delivered on Sunday, May 31, 2026, during a visit by a top Federal Government delegation to the troubled Esiele and Yawota communities, where gunmen abducted dozens of schoolchildren and teachers more than two weeks ago.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the delegation informed community leaders and lawmakers that the request for a military base in the area had already been forwarded to President Tinubu for consideration.
The delegation was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Addressing residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu remained deeply concerned about the abduction and had ordered security agencies to utilise every available resource to secure the safe release of the victims.
According to him, the President was committed to ensuring that the abducted pupils and teachers returned home safely, stressing that all necessary directives and support had already been provided to security agencies handling the operation.
He also assured worried parents and community members that the rescue mission would be carefully coordinated to avoid endangering the captives.
Gbajabiamila explained that security operatives would combine intelligence gathering with both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to guarantee a successful operation and the safe recovery of the victims.
The delegation later paid a condolence visit to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, at his palace, where they sympathised with the monarch and residents over the tragic incident.
They also visited the family of slain teacher Michael Oyedokun, whose wife, Mary Oyedokun, and children received the President’s condolences and assurances of government support.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed attackers stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities, abducting several pupils and teachers.
During the attack, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was brutally killed, while a motorcyclist and a security operative also lost their lives during rescue efforts after encountering explosives allegedly planted by the kidnappers.
Authorities believe the abductors have been operating within the dense forest corridors surrounding the Oriire axis, prompting the Federal Government’s decision to strengthen forest security with the newly approved guards.
