Oyo abducted victims still remain within old Oyo national park — Seyi Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced that the schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in the Oriire Local Government Area are still being held in the Old Oyo National Park, nearly four weeks after their abduction.

In an update on the rescue operations, Makinde stated that security forces are working diligently to ensure the safe return of the victims, who were taken during targeted attacks on schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle on May 15, 2026.

The governor revealed that intelligence suggests the abducted individuals are still within the vast Old Oyo National Park, which covers around 2,500 square kilometers across ten local government areas in Oyo State.

He mentioned that the park’s expansive and challenging landscape has posed significant operational hurdles for security teams, necessitating careful strategy, coordination, and persistent efforts for a successful rescue.

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Makinde reassured the public that all credible leads are being followed and all lawful actions are being taken to ensure the victims are rescued safely. He encouraged residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities using the state’s toll-free emergency number, 615.

Additionally, the governor cautioned against sharing unverified information, as misinformation could jeopardize rescue efforts.

He urged the community to continue supporting security forces with valuable information and to keep the abducted students and teachers in their thoughts and prayers as efforts to secure their release progress.