Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area occurred just hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing the timing as unprecedented during his administration.

Makinde made the remark on Friday while addressing a meeting with Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi. He recalled that Oyo State had not experienced a similar incident in the seven years he had been in office before the May 15 attack.

“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.

Hours after the governor’s remarks, the Presidency announced the rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers after 56 days in captivity.

According to the Presidency, the victims were freed during a joint operation involving the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police. Eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised during the operation.

The Presidency also disclosed that the victims were rescued without any negotiation or prisoner exchange, despite the kidnappers’ demand for the release of one of their detained leaders who is currently facing prosecution.

Reacting to the development, Makinde expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military, the police, the DSS and other security agencies for securing the release of the victims.

He described the successful operation as a major relief for the affected families and the people of Oyo State, saying it ended weeks of anxiety following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

President Tinubu also commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage and directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other support for the rescued pupils and teachers.

Makinde formally declared his presidential ambition on May 14 at a joint rally of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in Ibadan, where he pledged to “reset Nigeria.” He later emerged as the Allied Peoples Movement’s presidential candidate after being adopted as the party’s consensus candidate. (Nigerian Tribune)

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