Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that the students and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area are still being held within the Old Oyo National Park axis, as security operatives intensify efforts to rescue them.
The Governor said the ongoing operation has been slowed by the vast and difficult terrain of the national park, assuring residents that authorities remain determined to bring all the victims home safely.
In a statement issued through his Newsletter No. 140 on Friday, June 12, 2026, Makinde explained that the Old Oyo National Park spans about 2,500 square kilometres, making rescue operations highly complex and requiring patience, coordination and sustained efforts by security agencies.
He assured residents that the state government, working alongside security forces, has deployed every available resource to locate the abducted students and teachers and secure their safe release.
Makinde said multiple security formations are carrying out intelligence-led operations within and around the forest reserve to track down the kidnappers.
According to him, the dense vegetation, rugged landscape and numerous hideouts scattered across the Old Oyo National Park continue to pose major operational challenges for rescue teams.
The Governor appealed to residents of neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies, while cautioning against spreading rumours capable of undermining ongoing operations or causing unnecessary panic among the victims’ families.
He also urged the public to remain calm, stressing that security personnel are maintaining relentless pressure on the kidnappers until the abducted students and teachers are rescued.
“We will get them home safely,” Makinde said, expressing confidence in the ongoing rescue mission.
