Tinubu Orders Special Rescue Operation, Approves 1,000 Forest Guards For Oyo Amid School Abductions

Tinubu Orders Special Rescue Operation, Approves 1,000 Forest Guards for Oyo Amid School Abductions President Bola Tinubu has ordered a special security rescue operation and approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The directive was conveyed by a high-powered Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a visit to affected communities in Ogbomoso and surrounding areas. The delegation, which also included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and presidential aide Sunday Dare, assured residents that the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to rescue the victims safely. According to the delegation, President Tinubu ordered the immediate deployment of a specialised rescue team with advanced operational capacity to track and secure the release of abducted pupils and teachers. He also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards, to be deployed in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, to strengthen security surveillance in forest belts believed to be used by kidnappers. Officials said the move was part of a broader strategy combining intelligence-led operations and ground-level security reinforcement. Speaking during the visit, Gbajabiamila conveyed the President’s concern over the attack, describing it as “deeply troubling,” and assured parents that all necessary measures were being taken. “Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he said. e added that rescue operations would be carefully coordinated to ensure the safety of the abducted victims, stressing that both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies would be deployed.The delegation also visited traditional rulers and families of victims, including the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and relatives of a teacher killed during the attack. The abduction incident, which occurred on May 15, involved armed attackers who stormed multiple schools in Oriire LGA, abducting pupils and teachers and triggering nationwide concern over school security. Security agencies have since intensified search-and-rescue operations across forested areas believed to shelter the kidnappers.The incident has renewed debate over insecurity in rural communities and the vulnerability of schools in northern and southwestern Nigeria, with calls for stronger protection measures and permanent security presence in high-risk areas. Authorities say operations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as efforts to secure the victims progress.