Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, says his administration will ensure the safe return of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire LGA of the state.

Makinde spoke on Tuesday while addressing protesters led by Martins Otse, the activist and social media influencer popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at the Oyo state government house in Ibadan.

On Monday, exactly one month after the abduction, hundreds of protesters led by VDM marched through major roads in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, before converging on the government house.

Addressing the demonstrators, Makinde said security agencies are carrying out a delicate operation to secure the release of the victims without casualties.

“In Nigeria, this is the first time that they will do it to nursery and primary school children. And these are children that cannot even run or do anything themselves,” the governor said.

“So, the operation to rescue them is a special kind of operation if we don’t want to lose any of those children.

“I give you the assurance that I, as the governor of Oyo state, we will bring out those children.”

Makinde said the government would not negotiate with the abductors, warning that doing so would amount to surrendering the state’s authority to criminal groups.

“They are talking to us. It’s not something that we normally do. If the government starts negotiating with bandits, it means we are surrendering sovereignty to the bandits,” he said.

Last Friday, the governor said intelligence reports indicated that the abductees were still being held within the old Oyo National Park.

He noted that the area covers about 2,500 square kilometres across parts of 10 LGAs, making rescue efforts difficult.

“The size and difficult terrain of the area pose significant operational challenges for security personnel, requiring patience, strategic coordination, and sustained efforts to ensure a successful rescue operation,” he had said.