Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has appealed to families of abducted pupils and teachers, as well as Nigerians, to forgo planned protests over the kidnapping incident in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The governor made the appeal on Sunday during a church service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan.
Recall that on May 15, bandits attacked the communities, abducted pupils and teachers from three schools, killed two persons, and later beheaded one of the kidnapped teachers in their hideout, as seen in a viral video.
Makinde said, “Terrorists are within our doorstep. I encourage the family members of the children they abducted. This is not the time for protest. Terrorists and bandits are not normal people. So if we are protesting, we are fuelling their ego.”
Citing Proverbs 21:1, the governor added, “The heart of a king is in the hands of God. The hearts of bandits are in the hands of God. So, let us pray that God will touch their hearts. We are doing everything possible to (secure the) release the children.”
One of the victims, and principal of Community High School, Esinele, Rachael Alamu, appeared in a viral video released by the bandits, where she begged authorities to ensure their safe return.
In a follow-up video also shared by the abductors, she called on both state and federal governments to meet the demands of the kidnappers to secure their release.
She further urged authorities not to resort to force, noting that previous rescue attempts led to the bandits identifying another victim for beheading.
Her situation has sparked widespread reactions across the country, with some Nigerians threatening protests over the continued captivity of the victims.
Among those reacting is human rights activist and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, who warned of a possible protest action.
In a post on X on Saturday, he said, “If Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT and his service chiefs fail to track down and secure the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and other kidnapped people, we will have no choice but to occupy Aso Rock Villa this week!.”
