President Bola Tinubu has condemned the killing of one of the teachers abducted during the recent attack on schools in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as “barbaric.”
The President gave the reaction in a statement issued on Monday through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, while assuring Nigerians that security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue all remaining victims.
The attack occurred last Friday when armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the community. During the raid, several staff members, pupils, and students were abducted, while one of the teachers was reportedly killed.
Tinubu said security operatives have launched coordinated operations to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible for the attack, including anyone collaborating with the kidnappers within the community.
The statement read in part; “Security operatives are working around the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend the bandits and their collaborators within the community.”
According to the press statement, Tinubu said “I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.
The President also sympathised with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as well as families affected by the incident. He commended the response of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Inspector-General of Police and security commanders in Oyo and Kwara states, for deploying tactical teams and intelligence operatives to handle the situation.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu has directed security agencies to sustain pressure on the perpetrators until all abducted victims are rescued safely.
He further stated that the Inspector-General of Police is personally coordinating the technology-driven rescue operation and expressed confidence that security agencies would soon achieve a breakthrough.
The President also renewed his call for the establishment of state police, saying incidents of kidnapping and attacks on rural communities further highlight the need for state policing across the country.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police”.