Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that schoolchildren and teachers abducted by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area are being held within the Old Oyo National Park, nearly four weeks after their abduction.
The governor disclosed this in a statement released on Friday, confirming that intelligence reports have placed the victims inside the park, which covers approximately 2,500 square kilometres across ten local government areas in the state.The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities.
Makinde said the park’s vast and difficult terrain has posed significant operational challenges for security personnel, requiring careful planning and sustained coordination to execute a successful rescue mission.
He assured residents that every credible lead was being pursued and urged the public to report suspicious activities via the state’s toll-free emergency line, 615. He also cautioned against spreading unverified information, warning that misinformation could compromise the ongoing rescue operation.
