The Oyo government says it is working hard to secure the safe release of schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area. A statement, reported by Tribune on Monday, July 6, said security agencies are on the case, trying to rescue the pupils and arrest the attackers.
The government expressed sympathy for the families, acknowledged the trauma and uncertainty, and promised to reunite the victims with loved ones. The statement reads in part: “The Oyo State Government remains committed to the safe return of our children and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area. Our thoughts are with their families in these trying times.”
Things got spicier when Kemi Olunloyo — daughter of a former state governor — claimed the children are being moved to Katsina and that the abduction was politically motivated. Her comments stirred anxiety and a flare-up of online reactions.
Some slammed her. Ogol4right criticised Olunloyo: “Yes, Kemi, we might agree with you that the abduction is politically motivated, but the only person being asked to resign is Tinubu, not your Makinde. Remember, Makinde said he can only act when he’s Commander-in-Chief, but Gov Ododo joined the military to pursue the Bandits.”
Oludamola added: “This narrative seems entirely illogical and politically nonsensical. An APC chieftain allegedly kidnapped children in Oyo to thwart Makinde’s ambitions due to Tinubu, yet the public outrage from the kidnapping has been directed at Tinubu, not Makinde. What kind of strategy is that? Although anything is conceivable under the sun in Nigeria, this particular story doesn’t add up.”
TomTee wrote: “So what you are saying now is that Nigerians should remain dormant and not collect their PVC or vote again? That will amount to letting criminality continue to fester. What is wrong with advising people to go and vote, and you never know they might be lucky to get rid of this disastrous government; perhaps a new Nig will be born.”
But Ugogbuzuo Chief believed Olunloyo: “I have no reason whatsoever to doubt this; in Nigeria, impossible is nothing. We’ve tasted military and civilian rules, but for those who are old enough during military rule, that era seems to be way better than what we are currently experiencing. We have to think of a way forward out of this mess.”
