Tinubu Approves 1,000 Forest Guards, Special Rescue Team After Oyo School Abduction

Fresh action has been ordered from the Presidency following the shocking abduction of teachers and schoolchildren in Oyo State, as President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue team to track down the kidnappers.

The decision comes more than two weeks after armed attackers stormed schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga after a high-powered Federal Government delegation visited the affected communities in Oyo State.

The delegation was led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, and presidential media aide Sunday Dare.

According to the Presidency, the newly approved forest guards will work alongside the Oyo State Government to strengthen security surveillance around forests and vulnerable rural communities often targeted by kidnappers and armed groups.

The President also directed a specialised rescue unit equipped with advanced operational capabilities to intensify efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the abducted teachers and pupils.

Speaking during the visit, Gbajabiamila said the President was deeply disturbed by the attack and had ordered security agencies to use every available strategy to rescue the victims safely.

“Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he assured residents.

He added that authorities were taking seriously the concerns raised by families and community members urging caution during rescue operations, stressing that security efforts would rely heavily on intelligence gathering and carefully coordinated operations.

The Federal Government delegation also disclosed that requests by community leaders for the establishment of a military base in the area would be forwarded to President Tinubu for consideration.

During the visit, the delegation met with community leaders, grieving families and the traditional ruler of Ogbomoso land, Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to express solidarity over the incident.

The team also visited the family of late teacher Mary Oyedokun, who reportedly lost her life during the attack, leaving behind her children and devastated relatives.

The abduction has continued to trigger outrage across Oyo State, with teachers under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Teachers recently staging protests in Ibadan while demanding urgent government intervention and the immediate release of the victims.