On Sunday, May 31, 2026, top officials from Abuja landed in Esiele and Yawota, two quiet communities in Oriire Local Government, Oyo State. The visit came two weeks after gunmen stormed three schools on May 15, 2026 and took away pupils and teachers. The schools affected were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent the delegation to show he was not sleeping on the matter. Through them, he told the people he felt their pain and was committed to bringing every child and teacher back home alive.
To tighten security around the forests and villages, Tinubu has given the green light for 1,000 new forest guards in Oyo State. The state government will work with Abuja to recruit and deploy them quickly.
Community leaders and lawmakers also pushed for a military base in the area. The delegation listened and said they would take the request straight to the President for approval.
Beyond that, Tinubu has activated a special rescue unit trained for hostage situations. The unit will work with intelligence teams to track the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims without putting lives at risk.
Leading the FG team was Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff. He came with Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General Tunji Disu, Defence Minister General Christopher Musa, Power Minister Joseph Tegbe, and Sunday Dare, the President’s media adviser.
Speaking to residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said Tinubu’s decision to send the highest security officials showed how serious the government was. He told them the rescue operation would be careful and intelligence-driven, mixing both force and negotiation so no child gets hurt.
He also acknowledged the parents who begged the government to move slowly. “Your pain is understood. By God’s grace, your children will return safely to your arms,” he assured them.
After meeting the community, the delegation stopped at the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, HRM Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to offer condolences. They also visited Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, wife of the teacher who died during the attack, and her two children. Gbajabiamila delivered Tinubu’s message that the family would be taken care of.
Sources:
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy)
