The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reportedly deployed additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to Oyo State as efforts intensify to rescue abducted teachers and students from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
According to a police source quoted on Tuesday, the reinforcement was aimed at supporting the joint security team already operating in the area to ensure the safe return of the victims.
The source stated that security agencies were working round the clock and exploring all available options to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers unharmed.
The abduction occurred on Friday when armed attackers stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in coordinated attacks around 9:30 a.m.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 children and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. One person was also reportedly killed during the attack.
The incident triggered widespread panic across Ogbomoso and surrounding communities, with rumours spreading that bandits had invaded parts of the town and infiltrated Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
The fear prompted many parents to rush to schools to withdraw their children, while some schools reportedly shut down abruptly.
Residents also raised concerns about growing insecurity around Ajaawa, headquarters of Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area, amid reports of suspected bandit activities in the area.
However, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed claims of bandits invading Ogbomoso, describing the reports as false alarms fueled by misinformation.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the command explained that the panic began after some students reportedly sighted unfamiliar individuals behind a school fence.
Police investigations later revealed that the individuals were an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attached to the Kwara State Command and two civilians travelling in a Toyota Venza SUV.
According to the statement, the visitors had only gone to celebrate a birthday with a female acquaintance, but an altercation with some teachers heightened suspicion and led to rumours spreading across neighbouring schools and communities.
The police added that patrols and visibility policing had been strengthened across affected areas to reassure residents and maintain calm.
Meanwhile, the management of LAUTECH denied rumours that the institution had been shut down over fears of a possible bandit attack.
Registrar of the university, Olayinka Balogun, clarified in a statement that academic activities, including ongoing examinations, were continuing as scheduled.
Traditional rulers from the five local government areas in Ogbomosoland also called for urgent federal intervention, including the establishment of a military base in Oriire Local Government Area to combat rising insecurity.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Alapa of Apa, Oba Akin Akintola, lamented the increasing attacks around forest communities and argued that the police alone could no longer handle the growing security threat.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to approve a military formation near the forest reserve areas to provide broader protection for communities affected by kidnappings and attacks.
The monarch warned that banditry, previously associated with parts of northern Nigeria, was gradually spreading into the South-West and threatening farming and other economic activities.
Similarly, the Oodua People’s Congress called on South-West governors to empower local security groups to confront armed gangs operating across the region.
OPC President Wasiu Afolabi accused political leaders in the region of ignoring repeated warnings about worsening insecurity and urged authorities to support vigilante and self-determination groups in tackling the crisis.
Activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, also declared that he and his supporters were prepared to confront criminal elements hiding in forests across the South-West once government approval was granted.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria also condemned the abduction and killing linked to the attacks, describing the development as evidence of a deepening national security crisis.
PFN President Francis Oke said the continued attacks on schools and rural communities showed a failure of government to adequately protect citizens, warning that insurgency and banditry were spreading beyond northern Nigeria into the South-West.
He called for urgent and decisive action to restore security and rescue the abducted victims.
