‘Don’t Cry. I Have Come Here Because of You’: Makinde Visits Abducted Children’s Families as Federal Team Arrives Ogbomoso

Juliet Oladele, Reporting

AHORO ESIELE, OYO STATE – There were raw emotions, tears and desperate appeals yesterday as Governor Seyi Makinde visited the families of school children and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area, just as a high-powered Federal Government delegation arrived in Ogbomoso to conduct a firsthand assessment of the security situation.

Among those who met the governor was Professor Wole Alamu, whose wife, a school principal, is among the captives.

The professor alone has six family members currently being held in a forest by the kidnappers.

Also present was a tearful Mrs Funmilayo Ojo, whose daughter-in-law and four grandchildren are among the victims.

Mrs Ojo recently appeared in a video released by the kidnappers, appealing to the authorities to negotiate with the captors and not to use force.

“Please, do not use force so as not to waste their lives,” Mrs Ojo had pleaded in the video.

The abduction occurred on Friday, 15th May 2026, between 8:00 and 9:30 in the morning.

An unspecified number of gunmen on motorcycles attacked three schools: Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School, Esinele/Ahoro-Esinle.

Governor’s Visit: ‘Don’t Cry’

Governor Makinde arrived at L.A Basic School, Ahoro Esiele, on Saturday to commiserate with the families.

Many who welcomed him could not hold back tears as they prayed for the safe return of their loved ones.

An emotional Professor Alamu pleaded directly with the governor.

“Do everything within your power to secure the safe return of our loved ones,” he said, his voice breaking.

Governor Makinde, visibly moved, responded with empathy and a direct appeal for calm.

“Don’t cry,” the governor told the grieving families. “I have come here today because of you. You installed this government. I want to let you know that this government is responsible to you. By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers.”

He urged the community not to assign blame but to unite for the sake of the captives.

“This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and federal government,” Makinde said. “This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers. I feel your pain but have trust in us.”

The governor described the abduction as unprecedented, noting that it would be the first time Nigeria would experience an abduction involving so many underage children.

“Regardless of the grievances the abductors may have, their actions remain cruel, unacceptable, and inhumane,” he said.

Governor Makinde disclosed that since the abduction occurred, he had been holding security meetings twice daily and working closely with security agencies to facilitate the victims’ safe return.

He also revealed that some operatives of the Western Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, had lost their lives in the course of combating security challenges across the state.

“We are doing everything humanly possible to get our children and teachers back,” he assured the families. “Please, I want you to cooperate with us.”

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The governor commended the service commanders for their support, dedication and commitment to securing lives and property, and called for more prayers.

After the public address, Governor Makinde held a brief private meeting with the families of the abducted pupils and teachers to further discuss ongoing rescue efforts and provide reassurance of the government’s commitment to ensuring their release.

Federal Delegation Arrives in Ogbomoso

Meanwhile, a high-level Federal Government delegation has also visited Ogbomoso and affected communities of Esin-Ele and Yawota to conduct a firsthand assessment of the security situation.

The delegation included the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and His Majesty Joseph Tegbe.

Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, Ph.D., briefed the Federal Government delegation on the prevailing security challenges, the impact on local communities, and the ongoing efforts by relevant authorities to restore peace, security, and stability in the affected areas.

Other distinguished stakeholders and government officials also participated in the engagement, reaffirming their commitment to supporting measures aimed at ensuring the safety of lives and property.

Entourage and Ongoing Efforts

On Governor Makinde’s entourage during his visit were the Oyo State governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi; member representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan Southwest Federal Constituency, Hon. Stanley Olajide; Oyo North Senatorial Candidate of APM, Hon. Shina Peller; Oyo Central Senatorial Candidate of APM, Hon. Olufemi Ajadi; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba (Dr) Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Director-General, Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Hon. Abayomi Fagbenro; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd); Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran; other traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, service commanders and other top government functionaries.

ALSO READ: https://crimeschroniclers.com/2026/05/31/how-ogun-police-neutralised-two-kidnappers-arrested-gang-leader/

Stonix News understands that the abducted children and teachers have now spent 16 days in captivity.

Efforts to secure their release continue at both state and federal levels, with Governor Makinde promising: “By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers.”