FG Delegation Visits Oyo After Oyedeji Ahmed’s Criticism Over Delay in Oriire Abduction Response

A Federal Government delegation visited Ogbomoso on Saturday, 15 days after gunmen abducted 46 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila met with community leaders and families of the victims.

The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, kidnapping 45 pupils and teachers. One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later reported killed by the attackers.

The visit comes six days after public affairs analyst Oyedeji Ahmed criticized President Bola Tinubu for not visiting Oyo or meeting Governor Seyi Makinde since the incident. In a widely shared article published 10 days after the abductions, Ahmed said Tinubu had “flown to Lagos for party business, to Kebbi and other states to push his 2027 bid” but had “not set foot in Oyo to comfort grieving families.”

“Would the President have stayed away if this happened in the North? What stops him from coming to Oyo, providing logistics, and showing leadership when 46 lives hang in the balance?” Ahmed wrote. He described Oyedokun’s killing as “a wound on the nation’s soul” and said, “This is no time for propaganda or press statements… when families are drowning in tears.”

Governor Seyi Makinde also visited Ogbomoso on Saturday and met with residents. He urged patience and cooperation, asking the community not to trade blame between state and federal governments.

“Don’t cry. I have come here today because of you. You installed this government. By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers,” Makinde said. “This is not the time to start trading blame… This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers.”

Makinde said he had been holding security meetings twice daily since the attack and commended security agencies, including Amotekun, for their efforts. Some Amotekun operatives have died tackling insecurity in the state, he noted.

Frustration over the incident led to protests last Monday in Ogbomoso. Teachers suspended classes and marched to the Teaching Service Commission office, demanding urgent intervention and stronger security for schools.

With many abductees still in captivity more than two weeks after the attack, anxiety continues to grow across Oyo State. Both Makinde and Tinubu have promised swift action to rescue the victims and bring perpetrators to justice.