President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered intensified rescue operations to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The directive was delivered by a federal delegation led by Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside Nuhu Ribadu, Tunji Disu and Christopher Musa during a visit to affected communities.
The government said the rescue mission would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated to ensure the safe return of the victims.
Authorities are also considering requests for a military base in the area.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA, kidnapping dozens of pupils and teachers. During the attack, a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed, while other casualties were recorded during rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers has commenced an indefinite strike across Oyo State, directing all public primary and secondary school teachers to stay away from classrooms until the abducted teachers and students are released.
The union also announced nationwide solidarity rallies, insisting that the prolonged captivity of the victims and the worsening insecurity in schools could no longer be ignored.
Governor Seyi Makinde appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid blaming either the federal or state government, assuring families that efforts were ongoing to rescue the captives.
The crisis has attracted reactions from groups including Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Baptist Convention, both of which called for stronger measures to tackle insecurity and protect schools across the country.
