President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised security team to strengthen efforts to rescue pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The approval was announced by a Federal Government delegation led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities where the abductions occurred on May 15.
According to the delegation, the forest guards will be recruited in collaboration with the Oyo State Government to improve surveillance and security across forest areas often used by criminal groups.
The Federal Government also pledged to consider the request by residents for the establishment of a military base in the affected communities to enhance security and prevent future attacks.
Tinubu further directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify ongoing operations aimed at securing the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Gbajabiamila assured residents that the President was deeply concerned about the incident and had directed all relevant security agencies to deploy the necessary resources to ensure the victims are rescued safely.
He also stated that rescue operations would be intelligence-driven, combining both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in response to appeals from parents and community members for caution during the operation.
The delegation, which included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Defence Minister Christopher Musa and Presidential Adviser Sunday Dare, also visited the Soun of Ogbomosoland and the family of a teacher killed during the attack, conveying the President’s condolences and support.
