Makinde Says He Is Ready to Sacrifice Himself for Rescue of Ogbomoso Schoolchildren

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he is willing to make any personal sacrifice necessary to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso.

Makinde made the statement while addressing protesters at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan. The protest was led by activist and social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, as pressure mounted on the state government to rescue the victims.

The protesters marched through major roads in Ibadan before converging on the government house. Their demand was clear: the abducted children and teachers must be brought home.

The victims had spent one month in captivity, deepening public anger and fear across Oyo State.

“Oyo State Is Not Chibok,” Makinde Says

Makinde told the protesters that his administration was still working with security agencies to rescue the abductees.

He rejected comparisons with the Chibok abduction, saying Oyo State would not allow the situation to follow the same path.

“Oyo State is not Chibok and it will not be Chibok,” the governor said.

He added that security personnel involved in the rescue operation had already paid a heavy price, including the death of a Nigerian Army lieutenant. According to him, the operation has been difficult because the abductees are believed to be held within a large forest area.

Makinde said he would not hesitate to sacrifice himself if that was what it would take to secure the release of the children.

How the Ogbomoso School Abduction Happened

The abduction took place on May 15, when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso.

Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers were taken, including the principal of one of the affected schools. One abducted teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later reported dead while in captivity.

The attack has shaken Oyo State and raised fresh questions about the spread of school abductions beyond Nigeria’s northern region, where such attacks have been more frequent over the last decade.

For many parents, the Ogbomoso case has revived the trauma of Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara and other school attacks that exposed the vulnerability of Nigerian children in classrooms.

Old Oyo National Park Complicates Rescue Efforts

Makinde had earlier said intelligence reports indicated that the abductees were being held within the Old Oyo National Park.

The area reportedly covers about 2,500 square kilometres across parts of 10 local government areas, making security operations difficult. The size of the forest, its terrain and the possibility of armed resistance have created operational challenges for rescue teams.

This is why Makinde said the government must act carefully to avoid further loss of lives.

The governor said the state was doing everything possible, but insisted that any rescue plan must be strategic, not emotional.

Makinde Rules Out Negotiation With Abductors

Makinde also said his government would not negotiate with the abductors.

According to him, negotiating with criminal groups would amount to handing over the authority of the state to them. His position reflects a wider debate in Nigeria’s security crisis: whether governments should negotiate to save lives or refuse talks to avoid strengthening criminal networks.

This is a difficult policy question.

In many kidnapping cases, families and communities want immediate rescue at any cost. Governments, however, worry that ransom payments or concessions may encourage more attacks.

Makinde’s message was that Oyo would pursue rescue without surrendering control to criminal groups.

Expert View: Oyo Abduction Shows a Dangerous Shift

Security experts will likely view the Ogbomoso abduction as more than a local crime. It signals a dangerous expansion of school kidnapping into areas previously considered less exposed to mass school attacks.

For years, school abductions were mostly associated with the north-east and north-west. Oyo’s case suggests that criminal networks may be exploiting forest routes, weak rural security and gaps in intelligence gathering.

The Old Oyo National Park angle is especially important. Large forest reserves across Nigeria have become difficult spaces for security agencies to monitor. Armed groups can use such areas for movement, concealment and hostage-taking.

This makes forest security, local intelligence and rapid response systems central to preventing future attacks.

Why the Protest Matters

The VDM-led protest shows that public patience is running out.

For many Nigerians, official assurances are no longer enough. Parents want results. Communities want security. Citizens want proof that government can protect children in schools.

The protest also shows the rising power of civic pressure in Nigeria’s security conversation. Social media activists, parents, youth groups and local communities are increasingly forcing government officials to respond publicly to security failures.

In this case, the protest brought the governor face-to-face with citizens demanding accountability.

What Government Must Do Next

The first priority is the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Beyond that, Oyo State and the federal government must strengthen school security in vulnerable communities. That should include proper risk mapping, stronger local intelligence, emergency communication systems, trained school protection teams and faster coordination between police, military, civil defence and community security networks.

The government also needs to secure forest corridors around schools and rural communities. If armed groups can move freely through large ungoverned spaces, schools will remain exposed.

School safety must also become preventive, not reactive. Waiting until children are abducted before deploying security is no longer acceptable.

FAQ

What did Seyi Makinde say about the abducted Ogbomoso schoolchildren?

Makinde said he was ready to sacrifice himself if that would secure the release of the abducted children and teachers.

Where were the Ogbomoso schoolchildren abducted?

They were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

How many people were abducted in the Ogbomoso school attack?

Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers were reportedly abducted.

Where are the abductees believed to be held?

Makinde said intelligence reports indicated they were being held within the Old Oyo National Park.

Will Oyo State negotiate with the abductors?

Makinde said his government would not negotiate with the abductors, arguing that doing so would weaken the authority of the state.

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