Gov. Makinde Assures VDM-Led Protesters Oyo Will Not Become Another Chibok
••••Says Govt Will Never Surrender To Bandits
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN —- GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday assured residents that his administration would not surrender to bandits, declaring that the state would do everything within its power to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The governor gave the assurance while addressing peaceful protesters led by social commentator and activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan.
Makinde stated that his government remained committed to the safe rescue of the victims and would spare no effort in achieving that objective.
“We will not surrender to bandits. Oyo is not Chibok and will never be,” the governor said, referring to the 2014 mass abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.
He disclosed that intelligence reports available to the government and security agencies indicated that no additional casualties had been recorded among the abductees following the reported killing of a Mathematics teacher after the incident.
According to him, security agencies are carefully coordinating rescue operations to ensure the victims are freed without further loss of life.
“The safety of the abducted pupils and teachers remains our top priority. We are deploying every available resource to secure their release,” he said.
Makinde acknowledged public concern over the abduction but maintained that negotiating with kidnappers was not the most appropriate option for government at this stage.
The governor further stated that if the rescue operation became prolonged, he would personally join efforts aimed at securing the victims’ freedom despite the risks involved.
He also commended the protesters for conducting a peaceful demonstration, describing civic engagement as an important tool for drawing attention to critical issues and encouraging government action.
Earlier, Otse said the protest was organised to show solidarity with the families of the abducted victims and to seek updates on government efforts to secure their release.
He stressed that the demonstration was intended to complement, rather than undermine, the work of security agencies.
“Nigerians must unite in confronting the growing threat of kidnapping and banditry across the country,” he said.
Otse also expressed readiness, alongside other volunteers, to support rescue efforts if called upon, describing the incident as a national concern that requires collective action.
The abduction of the pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area has continued to attract widespread concern, with residents, civil society organisations and other stakeholders calling for intensified efforts to ensure their safe return.