Oyo school abduction: Kidnappers trapped in Old Oyo National Park — Commissioner

By Bukola Hameed

​Suspected kidnappers who attacked a school in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been trapped within the Old Oyo National Park as joint security forces intensify operations to rescue the abducted pupils and staff.

The suspects are currently cornered within the park’s axis following a swift, coordinated security response aimed at preventing their escape into neighboring states.

​The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, confirmed the development in a statement released on Saturday in Ibadan.

According to the commissioner, security agencies immediately sealed off all potential escape routes following the tragic Friday assault on LA School and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esinele, which resulted in the killing of a teacher and the abduction of several pupils, teachers, and school principals.

​A massive rescue operation is currently underway, drawing personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Civil Defence Agro Rangers, and the Amotekun Corps. To ensure the criminals do not slip through the borders, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police has activated the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and is collaborating closely with the Kwara State Police Command to completely block the state boundaries. Current intelligence indicates that the abductors are still contained within the national park, prompting heavy patrols by joint security teams and local hunters mobilized from the Oke-Ogun axis.

​Despite the tight perimeter, Oyelade noted that security forces have not yet established direct contact with the kidnappers. The exact number of victims still held in captivity remains unconfirmed, as authorities face challenges obtaining accurate school records, which has complicated the verification process. The commissioner explained that the primary focus of the operation is to pinpoint the exact location of the suspects and maintain relentless pressure on them.

​While assuring residents that the government is confident in securing the safe release of all victims, Oyelade highlighted the state’s significant investments in local security infrastructure. He noted that the Amotekun Corps is well-equipped for the mission, boasting a fleet of 181 vehicles, 450 motorcycles, and a personnel strength of over 2,500 deployed across the state.

The commissioner reiterated the Seyi Makinde-led government’s unwavering commitment to rescuing the citizens and restoring absolute peace to the affected communities.