President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and deployed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in the Ogbomosho area.
This came after a high-powered Federal Government delegation visited the community yesterday, where the announcement was made.
The delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited the Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire local government area to convey the President’s deep concern over the incident, which occurred on May 15, 2026.
Recall that armed abductors had stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.E.A. Primary School, taking an unspecified number of pupils and teachers hostage. The attack has since triggered widespread anxiety across the state.
Addressing grieving residents in both English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila assured the communities that the President had directed every available national resource toward securing the victims’ safe return. He saidc “Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective”.
The Chief of Staff further sought to calm fears over the ongoing rescue operation, responding directly to appeals from some parents who had urged caution. “Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms. Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims”, he added.
As part of immediate and long-term security measures, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State, to be implemented in collaboration with the state government. The initiative aims to secure the dense forest belts that have historically served as hideouts for kidnap gangs in the region.
The delegation also disclosed that a formal request by community leaders and local lawmakers for the establishment of a military base in the area would be conveyed to the President for consideration and approval.
In addition to the forest guards, the President has directed a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts. While the nature of the unit was not publicly detailed for operational security reasons, officials described it as an elite team capable of intelligence-led rescue operations.
The high-level delegation included the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribaɗu; the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
