Oyo school abduction: I was accused of masterminding Oriire kidnap – Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that he was falsely accused of being behind the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as shocking and politically motivated.

The governor said the accusation emerged while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the victims, adding that some individuals attempted to politicise the tragic incident instead of supporting rescue operations.

Makinde noted that despite the allegations, his administration remained focused on collaborating with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.

According to him, the state government concentrated on intelligence gathering and coordinated security efforts rather than responding to distractions and misinformation surrounding the incident.

The governor maintained that protecting the lives of residents remained his administration’s top priority, stressing that politics should never be allowed to overshadow issues relating to public safety and security.

He reiterated his commitment to strengthening security across Oyo State and supporting measures aimed at preventing similar attacks in schools and other vulnerable communities.

Makinde also expressed appreciation to security agencies and all those who contributed to the eventual rescue of the victims, while calling for greater unity in tackling insecurity across the country.