Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reassured residents that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in the state will be rescued safely, stressing that the government is making every effort to secure their release.

Makinde gave the assurance while addressing social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, and other protesters at the Oyo State Government House, according to a video that surfaced online on Tuesday.

Expressing concern over the incident, the governor said he was deeply troubled by the abduction, noting that the victims, including nursery and primary school pupils, have spent over a month in captivity.

“I am also distressed because I have children of my own. I’m also distressed with what has happened to our children. It has been one month, just one month and one day already,” he said.

The governor explained that he could not reveal details of the ongoing security operations due to their sensitive nature but maintained that authorities were working tirelessly to ensure the victims’ safe return.

“Because of the nature of the security situation that is involved, I cannot divulge a lot of information,” Makinde stated.

Describing the abduction as unprecedented, he noted that it was the first known case in Nigeria involving the kidnapping of nursery and primary school pupils on such a scale.

“This is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that they have abducted nursery and primary school children. These are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves. So, the operation to rescue them is a special type of operation,” he said.

Makinde further assured residents that the rescue mission was being handled with utmost caution to prevent any loss of life.

“I don’t want to lose any of those children. I give you the assurance that I, as the governor, by God’s grace, will bring out those children,” he added.

The governor also disclosed that the state government was in communication with the abductors, describing the move as an exceptional step taken to protect the lives of the children.

“If governments are negotiating with bandits, it means portraying great sovereignty to the bandits. In this special situation, for those children alive, we have to bear the burden,” he said.

He expressed optimism that once the victims are rescued, stronger measures would be implemented to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

“Once the children are out, I give you the assurance that it will not occur again,” Makinde stated.