By Bello Wakili; Editing by Basirat Memudu
President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of one thousand forest guards in Oyo State and directed the deployment of a specialized security rescue team to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the State.
The measures were announced during a visit by a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities in Ogbomoso following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools on May 15.
The delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, conveyed President Tinubu’s deep concern over the incident and assured residents that every available resource would be deployed to ensure the safe return of the victims.
Gbajabiamila said the President had also directed that the community’s request for the establishment of a military base be forwarded for consideration.
According to him, the rescue operation will be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated using both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to guarantee the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The delegation included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.