President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue team following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The directive comes in response to the May 15 kidnapping of students and staff from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oyo State.
Details of the intervention were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, after a high-powered Federal Government delegation visited the affected communities.
According to the statement, the recruitment of the forest guards will be carried out in partnership with the Oyo State Government as part of efforts to strengthen security across vulnerable areas and improve surveillance within forests often used by criminal groups as hideouts.
“As part of immediate measures to strengthen security in the area, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government,” the statement said.
The Federal Government delegation also informed community leaders and elected representatives that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be forwarded to President Tinubu for consideration.
In addition to the recruitment initiative, the President directed the deployment of a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify operations aimed at securing the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
During the visit, the officials conveyed President Tinubu’s concern over the attack and reassured residents that the Federal Government remains committed to rescuing the victims and improving security in the affected communities.
The latest measures come amid growing concerns over attacks on schools and rural communities across parts of the country, with stakeholders calling for stronger security interventions to protect students and educational institutions.
