Oyo school abductions: Tinubu deploys 1,000 forest guards, tactical rescue team
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State.
He also directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
According to a statement signed and released on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, a high-powered Federal Government delegation conveyed the presidential directives to community leaders and lawmakers during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
The delegation also informed leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been transmitted to the President for consideration and approval.
The development comes 16 days after gunmen struck communities in the area and took dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers captive.
The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, Onanuga said.
Addressing residents in both English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said the President’s decision to dispatch the nation’s top security leadership to the affected communities reflected his determination to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release.
Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely.
“He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective,” Gbajabiamila said.
Atiku Meets Hayatu-Deen In Lagos Amid ADC Reconciliation Efforts
Sources described the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to reconcile aggrieved members following the party’s presidential primary.
An interview session with Hayatu-Deen is expected after the meeting.
The meeting comes days after the ADC presidential primary, in which Atiku emerged as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 general election.
Hayatu-Deen had contested the primary alongside Atiku and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
However, before the official announcement of the results, he announced his withdrawal from the process, citing allegations of widespread vote rigging.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” Hayatu-Deen said.
Despite his withdrawal, the party later announced the results of the primary, declaring Atiku the winner with 1,846,370 votes. Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, came second with 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes.
Amaechi also rejected the outcome of the exercise, describing the results as “concocted” and alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement during the primary.
Since securing the party’s ticket, Atiku has embarked on reconciliatory moves aimed at uniting the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
READ ALSO: ADC Presidential Candidate Atiku Visits Amaechi After Party Primary
Before meeting Hayatu-Deen, the former vice president had held talks with Amaechi. Following that meeting, Atiku said their discussions focused on the country’s challenges, including economic hardship and insecurity.
According to him, the meeting centred on deep and honest conversations about “the troubling state of the nation, the growing economic pain, insecurity, and the urgent responsibility on patriotic Nigerians to continue engaging in the search for solutions that can rescue our country from drift and despair.”
Responding to complaints about the primary, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, maintained that the exercise was free and fair, although he acknowledged that it was not without shortcomings.
He said all the aspirants were qualified to lead the party but noted that only one candidate could emerge as its presidential flag bearer.
Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025 alongside other opposition figures as part of a broader political realignment aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.