A strategy meeting is underway in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to resolve the debacle created by kidnappers who are in custody of infants, students, mothers and teachers seized two weeks ago from Ahoro-Esiele community.
Governor Seyi Makinde is meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Power, Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Minister of Defence, Gen. Chris Musa,Federal legislators and security chiefs, including the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, Stars Director of Security and sundry stakeholders.
President Bola Tinubu is believed to have tasked the team to work out an exit strategy to resolve the logjam that has put him administration on the spotlight at home and internationally.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is willing to dialogue with the bandits but is reluctant to negotiate a ransom after they killed one of the captives, Michael Oladokun, a teacher in the community school, two weeks ago.
Makinde on Saturday night met with families of the Oriire abductees, urging calm and cooperation as security agencies intensify efforts to secure their release.
The meeting, held at Ahoro-Esiele community, brought together relatives of the victims, community leaders, and residents where the governor expressed empathy, and noted that mere words could not take away their pains, but assured his administration was working around the clock to bring everyone home safely.
“Since this incident occurred, I’ve been holding security meetings twice daily and working directly with security agencies. We will push beyond every limit until all abductees are rescued,” he assured.
He described the abductors’ actions as “cruel, unacceptable, and inhumane,” regardless of any grievances they claim to have.
Makinde also paid tributes to the sacrifices of security personnel, noting that nearly 200 Amotekun operatives had died fighting crime across Oyo State since the corps was formed.
Relatives of the victims, Prof. Wole Alamu and Mr Aliu Saidi pleaded with the governor to do everything possible to free the abductees.
After addressing the larger crowd, Makinde held a closed-door meeting with parents and relatives of the abducted pupils and teachers to share updates on the rescue operations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the abduction has heightened security concerns in the area, with residents demanding faster action to end kidnapping in the state.
