RismadarVoice Reporters, June 2, 2026
Families of pupils and teachers abducted during a bandit attack in Oyo State have reportedly rejected food items and cash offered by government representatives, insisting that their only demand is the safe return of their loved ones.
A community leader, the Baale of Yawota, Emmanuel Alade, disclosed this during an interview on News Central on Monday, while recounting the circumstances surrounding the abduction in the Orire Local Government Area.
According to him, officials who visited the affected communities brought rice and monetary assistance as part of their condolence efforts, but the gesture was turned down by grieving parents.
“When the government officials came, they came with rice and money, but the parents rejected it,” Alade said. “They said what they wanted was the release of their children.”
He explained that the delegation, which included female officials from the state government team, attempted to console families but were informed that material support was not acceptable in place of the missing children.
Alade also gave a detailed account of the attack, saying armed men moved through the community unnoticed before gunshots were heard shortly afterwards, forcing residents to flee for safety.
“On that day, I saw them pass, but I did not know who they were. Shortly after, gunshots began. People said bandits had entered the community, and everyone ran,” he recounted.
He added that a community member who attempted to confront the attackers was killed, while several pupils were taken away during the chaos.
Following the incident, residents alerted security agencies, who later visited the scene to assess the situation and begin investigations.
The abduction has prompted a series of official responses, including visits from both state and federal authorities. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier met with families of the victims, assuring them that security agencies were working to secure the release of those abducted.
Makinde also stated that security coordination had been intensified since the incident, with efforts ongoing to locate and rescue the victims safely.
In a separate visit, a federal government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, also met with affected communities on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. The delegation included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief of Defence Staff.
The officials assured residents that all necessary security measures were being deployed to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The incident, which occurred more than two weeks ago, has heightened tensions in border communities in Oyo State and renewed concerns over insecurity in rural areas, particularly around vulnerable school populations.
