Makinde explained that the sheer size and difficult terrain of the national park have posed significant operational challenges for security personnel, requiring patience, coordination, strategic planning and persistence to ensure a successful rescue operation.
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that pupils and teachers abducted by suspected bandits from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state are currently being held within the vast Old Oyo National Park axis, nearly four weeks after they were kidnapped.
Makinde made the revelation on Friday while providing an update on ongoing rescue efforts, assuring families and residents that security agencies have intensified operations to secure the safe release of the victims.
The victims were abducted during coordinated attacks on schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
According to the governor, intelligence reports available to security agencies indicate that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers remain within the wider Old Oyo National Park area, a massive forest reserve that stretches across parts of 10 local government areas in Oyo State and covers approximately 2,500 square kilometres.
