UPDATED: Makinde Speaks As Activist VDM Leads Protest In Ibadan Over Oyo Schoolchildren Abduction

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that the schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of the state will be rescued, as popular activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), led a protest in Ibadan on Tuesday demanding urgent action to rescue the victims.

The protesters, comprising members of the Ratel Movement and other supporters, gathered under the Iwo Road Bridge opposite Terminal 1 before embarking on a peaceful march through major roads in the area to draw attention to the plight of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Addressing VDM and the protesters at the Oyo State Government House, Makinde expressed deep concern over the abduction, describing the situation as distressing and assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the victims.

“I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I am also distressed with what has happened to our children. Because of the nature of the security situation, I cannot divulge a lot of information, but I can tell you that because it’s a rescue operation, this is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that they have abducted kids from both nursery and primary school.

“These are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves. So the operation to rescue them is a sensitive one, and we don’t want to lose any of the children. But I give you the assurance that I, as the governor of Oyo State, by God’s grace, we will bring out those our children.

“They are talking to us; it’s just that if government starts negotiating with bandits, it means we are encouraging them. It needs a special operation to bring those children alive. Once the children are out, I give you the assurance that we will not suffer such a thing again,” the governor said.

Makinde further lamented the prolonged absence of the affected pupils and teachers from school, assuring that government would not relent until they are rescued.

“I am also disturbed by the current condition of our schoolchildren and teachers, who have been out of school for over one month. I assure you that, as the governor, we will rescue them,” he added.

Earlier, VDM told protesters that the demonstration was aimed at drawing national attention to the plight of the abducted children and their families, stressing that citizens could not remain silent amid worsening insecurity.

He urged both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims and strengthen security across the country.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions condemning insecurity and demanding the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers. Many residents joined the protest, while others watched from the roadside as demonstrators marched through the area chanting solidarity songs and calling for justice.

The protest comes amid growing public outrage over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that has heightened concerns about attacks on schools and the safety of pupils in the state.