Seyi Makinde has confirmed the death of one of the teachers abducted in the Ahoro-Esinle Community area of Oyo State, while six suspects linked to the incident have been arrested.
Makinde disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju.
The governor expressed condolences to the family of the deceased teacher and assured residents that the state government would continue deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to secure the release of the remaining victims.
He also sympathised with the families of soldiers, members of the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes who lost their lives during the rescue operation. According to him, the operatives died after encountering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the kidnappers.
Makinde stated that injured security personnel were responding well to treatment, adding that the government would ensure they receive proper care.
He appealed to relatives of the victims, religious organisations, and other concerned individuals to remain calm, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to reunite the abducted persons with their families.
“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he stated.
Makinde noted that security agencies had made progress in the operation, with several individuals already arrested in connection with the crime.
“Well, from the information available from the commissioner of police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality.
“Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists.
“Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested by another security outfit within the state,” he said.
The governor further stressed the importance of collaborating with neighbouring states to prevent terrorists from relocating into Oyo State.
“We must appreciate the fact that with the pressure on the terrorists and the bandits in the North-West and the North-East, they will keep moving southwards.
“So, we are talking.
“The governor of Kwara has spoken to me, but the problem that we have is when you have pressure in one place, we must be prepared on this side to also either repel or neutralise terrorists fleeing the pressure point,” the governor added.
He assured residents that the government would continue providing daily updates on the rescue efforts.
