Oyo Abduction: Makinde Confirms Victims Still in Old Oyo Park

27 days. That's how long our children and their teachers have been held since they were snatched from schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities, Oriire LGA. But Governor Seyi Makinde is stepping up with a critical update that proves our security agencies are tracking the situation and closing in.

In Newsletter No. 140 dropped Friday, Makinde kept it real with Oyo residents. He didn't sugarcoat the pain families are feeling, and he didn't dodge the fact that repeated promises haven't yet delivered the outcome everyone is desperate for.

For 27 days, families have gone to bed without their loved ones. For 27 days, communities have lived with uncertainty. For 27 days, our children and teachers have remained in captivity.

The Lead That Changes the Game

Here's what matters most: intelligence and security reports confirm the abducted pupils and teachers are still within the Old Oyo National Park corridor. That's huge. It means our agencies have eyes on the situation and the victims haven't been moved off the grid to some unknown location.

Makinde was honest about the challenge though. The Old Oyo National Park axis is massive, stretching across parts of 10 local government areas and covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres of tough terrain. But our security forces are not backing down. This is our land, our people, and we handle our own.

We cannot share the details of what we are doing, but you can rest assured that every single day, we continue to pursue every credible lead and take every lawful action available to us to secure their release.

Community Power Is Our Strongest Weapon

This is where the real strength lies: in us. Makinde made it clear that this isn't just an Oriire problem, it's an Oyo problem, and every single resident has a role to play. When the community stands together, we're stronger than any threat. That's the African way.

See anything suspicious? Call 615, the Oyo State Citizens Enquiry Number. It's toll-free and runs 24/7. That one call could be the breakthrough our security agencies need.

Cut the Noise, Protect the Mission

The governor also called out the dangerous game of spreading unverified information. Rumours don't help anyone, and they could actually put our children at risk. Stick to official channels and let the professionals work.

These are sensitive matters, and we must avoid anything that could jeopardise rescue efforts.

To the families hurting right now, Makinde's message is clear: your people have not been forgotten. They remain the priority, every single day.

I know that no statement can ease your pain. But please know that your loved ones have not been forgotten. They remain at the centre of our efforts every single day.

As Oyo stands together through this, the governor is urging residents to keep the faith, stay sharp, and keep supporting the security teams working around the clock. We move together, and we bring our people home.