President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of Oyo State that efforts are ongoing to rescue pupils, students and teachers abducted by gunmen in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area.
President Tinubu gave the assurance in a statement issued on Monday by his special adviser on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga.
Gunmen had invaded the Esiele community on Friday and abducted staff and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A. Primary School.
The president also condemned the killing of one of the abducted teachers during the incident.
“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community,” Tinubu said.
He sympathised with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the state government and families of the victims.
Tinubu said the Federal Government was working with the Oyo State Government to rescue all those abducted.
He also commended the Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu and police commissioners in Oyo and Kwara states for deploying tactical and intelligence teams for the rescue operation.
According to the president, IGP Disu is personally leading the operation following his directive.
“We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Tinubu added that rising cases of kidnapping showed the need for state police in parts of the country with security challenges.
He urged the National Assembly to speed up the process of passing laws for the establishment of state police.
