Makinde Says Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers Still Inside Old Oyo National Park After 27 Days

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that pupils and teachers abducted during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area remain within the Old Oyo National Park, nearly one month after they were taken by armed bandits.

The governor provided the update on Friday in his weekly newsletter, assuring residents that security agencies were still actively pursuing the abductors and working towards the safe release of all victims.

The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, sent shockwaves across Oyo State and reignited concerns about the growing spread of kidnapping and banditry into parts of the South-West. Armed men invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, abducting scores of pupils and teachers in one of the most coordinated attacks on educational institutions in the region.

Since the incident, families of the victims have endured weeks of uncertainty, while protests, public appeals and industrial actions have intensified pressure on the government to secure the release of those still in captivity.

Makinde acknowledged the emotional and psychological toll the prolonged ordeal has taken on affected families and communities, noting that it has now been 27 days since the victims were forcibly removed from their schools.

According to the governor, intelligence gathered by security agencies indicates that the abductees are still being held within areas linked to the vast Old Oyo National Park, a sprawling forest reserve that stretches across parts of Oyo State and neighbouring states.

The park has increasingly drawn the attention of security agencies in recent years because of concerns that criminal elements exploit its difficult terrain, dense vegetation and remote locations as hideouts and transit routes.

Makinde reiterated that the state government was working closely with the military, police, intelligence services, Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups to sustain pressure on the kidnappers.

The governor’s latest update comes amid growing public concern over the safety of schoolchildren and teachers following a series of high-profile abductions across different parts of Nigeria. The incident in Oriire has been particularly disturbing because of the number of children involved and the length of time they have remained in captivity.

The crisis has also triggered reactions from labour unions, civil society organisations and community leaders. The Nigerian Union of Teachers had earlier directed its members in Oyo State to embark on industrial action, while residents of Ogbomoso and other communities have staged protests demanding immediate government intervention.

Security operations in and around the Old Oyo National Park have intensified in recent weeks, with authorities deploying additional personnel and surveillance resources to track the movement of the abductors.

While the government has remained cautious about revealing operational details, officials insist that efforts to secure the release of the victims remain ongoing.

For many families, however, each passing day deepens anxiety as they await the return of their loved ones from captivity.