Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area occurred less than 24 hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde made the remark on Friday while addressing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Bauchi, recalling that Oyo State had not witnessed a similar incident throughout his seven years in office until the May 15 school abduction.
According to the governor, he publicly declared his presidential ambition at about 4 p.m., and by 9 a.m. the following day, the pupils and teachers had been kidnapped.
"For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” Makinde said.
His comments came hours after the Presidency announced the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers after spending 56 days in captivity.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area occurred less than 24 hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde made the remark on Friday while addressing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Bauchi, recalling that Oyo State had not witnessed a similar incident throughout his seven years in office until the May 15 school abduction. Government
According to the governor, he publicly declared his presidential ambition at about 4 p.m., and by 9 a.m. the following day, the pupils and teachers had been kidnapped.
“For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” Makinde said.
His comments came hours after the Presidency announced the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers after spending 56 days in captivity.
The Presidency said the victims were freed during a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force. It added that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised during the operation.
The Federal Government also stated that no ransom was paid and no negotiations were held with the kidnappers, despite their demand for the release of one of their detained leaders facing prosecution.
Reacting to the development, Makinde described the rescue as “a big relief” for the affected families and the people of Oyo State, saying the operation brought an end to nearly two months of anxiety following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.(Newsense)
