Governor Seyi Makinde has reassured families of abducted teachers and students in Oyo State that his administration is intensifying efforts to secure their safe release.
Makinde gave the assurance on Wednesday while receiving his deputy, Bayo Lawal, alongside Muslim faith
ful at his private residence in Ibadan during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He said government agencies were working “around the clock” to ensure that the kidnapped victims are reunited with their families.
“The challenges that we have, especially in Oyo, with our school children being kidnapped, we are working around the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families,” he said.
The governor also expressed sympathy with affected families, offering prayers for those currently in distress.
The reassurance comes amid recent attacks on schools in Oyo State, including coordinated abductions at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area.
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Makinde used the occasion to call for unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, noting that political differences should not divide the people.
He said Oyo State remains a tolerant society where ethnicity and religion cannot easily be used to create division.
He also urged residents to prioritise the collective interest of the state and country as Nigeria moves into another political season.
“Government will come and go but our state and our country remain,” he said, adding that leaders elected in the coming cycle would need to work together regardless of political differences.
Earlier, Deputy Governor Lawal led a delegation of Muslim faithful to the governor’s residence for the traditional Eid-el-Kabir homage, emphasising the values of peace, unity and sacrifice associated with the celebration.
