By DAVID ADEOYE

Makinde of Oyo State has restated his commitment to rescue all schoolchildren and teachers being held captive.

Makinde said this on Tuesday while addressing protesters led by social media influencer and activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan.

The governor, who expressed readiness to exhaust every option to guarantee the safe rescue of the kidnapped children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, stressed that avoiding further loss of life remains a priority.

He, however, said that tougher decisions would not be ruled out.

“If you ask me, ‘Can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out?’ I will do it.

“We’re doing everything possible, including what VDM suggested. But if there’s potential for needless loss of lives and we can avoid losing more, we will.

“But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it,” the governor said.

Makinde, who did not disclose details of the ongoing operation for security reasons, assured that the current security architecture in the state was capable of securing the release of the abductees.

He appreciated the protesters for their efforts and the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves.

Earlier, speaking on behalf of the protesters, VDM demanded action over the abduction and expressed the readiness of concerned Nigerians to join security operatives in the rescue mission.

He also charged the Oyo State government to expedite action on the rescue mission, adding that it must not become another Chibok experience.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some pupils, students and teachers were abducted on May 15 in Oriire LGA while two persons were killed during the incident. (NAN)

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