Oyo Abduction: Families Reject Govt Rice, Cash, Demand Children’s Freedom

Families of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oyo State have rejected rice and cash brought to them by government officials, insisting that their only concern is the safe return of their loved ones.

The Baale of Yawota, Emmanuel Alade, disclosed this during an interview with News Central on Monday while speaking on the abduction that occurred in Orire Local Government Area of the state.

Alade said government representatives visited the affected communities to sympathise with residents, but the families turned down the relief items and money offered to them.

According to him, the parents made it clear that no gift could replace their children and relatives who are still in captivity.

Alade said the government officials came with rice and cash, but the parents rejected the gesture.

He said, “When the government officials came, they came with rice and money, but the parents rejected it.

“The women who are government officials on Governor Seyi Makinde’s team came to console us. They brought rice and money, but the parents said they did not want it. They said what they wanted was for their children to be released.”

The community leader said the mood in the affected communities remained tense, as families continued to wait for news on the abducted pupils and teachers.

He added that the people wanted the government to focus fully on securing the release of the victims.

Narrating how the incident happened, Alade said he saw some unfamiliar persons pass through the area shortly before gunshots were heard across the community.

He said the sound of gunfire caused panic among residents, with many fleeing for safety.

Alade said, “On the day the incident happened, I was sitting here when I saw them pass by, but I did not know them. Not long after, we started hearing gunshots. People said bandits had entered the community and everyone ran away.

“The person who went to meet them was killed, and that was how the students were taken away. Little children were abducted while the gunmen kept shooting.”

He said community members later reported the attack to the police, who subsequently visited the area.

The revelation comes amid visits by state and federal government officials to the affected communities as efforts continue to secure the release of the abducted pupils and staff members.

Governor Seyi Makinde had on Saturday met with families of the kidnapped pupils and workers at Ahoro-Esiele community.

During the visit, the governor assured the families that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue the victims.

Makinde said his administration had intensified security meetings and operations since the incident occurred, adding that all abductees would be brought home safely.
A day after Makinde’s visit, a Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited Esiele and Yawota communities on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

The delegation included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

The officials assured residents that every available resource was being deployed to secure the release of the victims.

They also appealed for calm and cooperation from the affected communities as security agencies continued their operations.

The mass abduction, which occurred more than two weeks ago, has heightened fear among residents of communities located along Oyo State’s border areas.

Residents said the incident had exposed the vulnerability of rural communities and raised fresh concerns over the safety of schools, teachers and pupils.

Families of the victims have continued to appeal to the authorities to intensify rescue efforts and ensure that the abducted pupils and teachers return home alive.