Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde Calls for Patience as Air Force Assists in Schoolkid Rescue

On May 15, 2026 gunmen abducted dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Governor Seyi Makinde has repeatedly urged families to be patient while security forces work to free the victims. He hosted a Nigerian Air Force delegation led by Air Officer Abubakar Suleh, thanking the force for deploying a Diamond‑42 surveillance aircraft to monitor the rescue operation and for providing a replacement plane while the state’s own aircraft are assembled.

Makinde emphasized that all “hands are on deck” and that the state’s purchase of the Diamond‑42 platform was intended to ease the burden on overstretched security units. He also pledged to cooperate with the Air Force on pilot training and aircraft maintenance.

Former presidential media aide Laolu Akande urged Makinde to meet President Bola Tinubu for a unified response, while human‑rights lawyer Femi Falana warned politicians against politicising the kidnappings and called for better equipment and motivation for the armed forces and police. The Muslim community in Oyo rejected the kidnappers’ demand for the imposition of Sharia law, stating that terrorism has no place in Islam. The crisis has prompted widespread public concern and calls for coordinated action at both state and federal levels.