The Nigeria Police Force has assured that efforts to secure the swift release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are ongoing, even as plans are underway to recruit 40,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.

Some armed men had, in June 2026, abducted 39 students and seven teachers in an attack targeting several schools in Oyo State.

Addressing newsmen on the state of insecurity in the South-West at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, on Monday, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West and ICT, Adegoke Fayoade, assured of a massive clampdown on criminal elements in the region.

DIG Adegoke, who was on a working visit to the Lagos State Police Command, disclosed that security agencies were working in close coordination to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

Speaking on the abduction of the school children, he explained that the rescue operation would be concluded in the shortest possible time, adding that the safety of the victims remained a top priority.

“All agencies, including government, are working very hard, and I can assure you that within the shortest possible time, the children and their teachers will be free,” he said.

Fayoade further disclosed that the proposed recruitment of 40,000 police personnel is part of broader efforts to enhance manpower, improve operational capacity, and address emerging security challenges across the country.

Fayoade, however, dismissed claims that police tracking operations in Lagos had weakened since the #EndSARS protests, insisting that recent operational successes demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing. (Daily Trust)

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