Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured families of the teachers and students abducted in recent attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area that the state government is making serious efforts to secure their safe release.
The governor gave the assurance on Wednesday while hosting the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, alongside Muslim faithful at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Makinde said his administration was working tirelessly to reunite the kidnapped victims with their families, stressing that the government understood the pain and anxiety currently being experienced by affected families.
“The challenges that we have, especially in Oyo with our school children being kidnapped, we are working round the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families,” the governor said.
He also expressed sympathy with families going through difficult moments and prayed for divine intervention and comfort for them.
The governor’s remarks followed the recent abduction of scores of teachers and students during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Makinde used the occasion to call for peace, unity, and tolerance among Nigerians as political activities ahead of future elections gradually intensify across the country.
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According to him, Oyo State remains a place where religion and ethnicity should never be used to divide the people.
“Well, let me use this opportunity to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters, and indeed everyone in Oyo and Nigeria, a happy Eid celebration and I wish all of us many more celebrations in good health,” he said.
“This is because we are moving towards a political season and for us in Oyo, we are very liberal and tolerant people. So, it’s difficult to use ethnicity or religion to divide us.”
The governor stressed that political offices are temporary, while the collective interest of the state and the country must always come first.
“Government will come and go but our state and our country remain. Even when we disagree with ourselves, it’s only temporary,” he added.
Earlier, Deputy Governor Lawal, who led the delegation of Muslim faithful to the governor’s residence for the traditional Eid-el-Kabir homage, said the visit reflected the spirit of sacrifice, peace, unity, and togetherness associated with the celebration.
He also commended the Makinde administration for sustaining religious harmony and inclusive governance in Oyo State.
Meanwhile, Muslim faithful gathered in large numbers at the Agodi Eid praying ground in Ibadan for the Eid prayers led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, AbdulGaniyy Agbotomokekere.
Special prayers were offered for peace, improved security, and the safe return of the abducted students and teachers, with worshippers urging security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and restore calm to affected communities.
