Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has said he is willing to sacrifice himself to secure the release of children and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, stating that he is “almost 60 years old.”
The governor made the statement on Tuesday while addressing a group of peaceful protesters led by activist and social commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan.
“I can sacrifice myself for the release of the abducted children; I am almost 60 years old,” Makinde said during the address.
Responding to the protesters’ request to participate in the rescue operation, Makinde expressed confidence in the security architecture currently deployed, stating that it is capable of securing the safe release of the victims with minimal casualties.
According to the governor, available intelligence indicates that no additional casualties have been recorded among the abductees following the earlier killing of a Mathematics teacher during the incident.
Makinde, however, stressed that if the situation persists, he would personally volunteer to join the rescue mission despite the risks involved. He maintained that negotiating with kidnappers is not the most appropriate option for government.
The governor commended the protesters for their peaceful solidarity march, noting that public agitation and civic engagement often spur leaders and security agencies into swift action toward achieving positive outcomes.
The governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to working with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the victims and to address insecurity in the area.
Makinde also called for calm and urged residents to provide credible information to security operatives to aid rescue efforts. He emphasized that protecting lives and property remains a priority for his administration.
Earlier, Martins Vincent Otse said the solidarity walk was organized to support the government’s efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers and reunite them with their families as quickly as possible.
Otse also pledged to volunteer himself, alongside other youths, to participate in the rescue efforts in Oriire Local Government Area, as part of a broader commitment to tackling the growing menace of kidnapping and banditry across the country.
The Oriire abduction has drawn widespread attention in recent days, with civil society groups and individuals demanding faster action from authorities.
