1 000 guards deployed to free abducted pupils and teachers

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday approved the recruitment of 1 000 forest guards in Oyo State to rescue kidnapped pupils and teachers, reports Punch. He also directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free the abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. This as the Nigeria Union of Teachers declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State and announced plans for nationwide solidarity rallies to press the government to act. According to a statement signed Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, a high-powered Federal Government delegation conveyed the presidential directives to community leaders and lawmakers during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA. The delegation also informed leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been transmitted to the President for consideration and approval. The development comes 16 days after gunmen struck communities in the area and took dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers captive. The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Addressing residents in both English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said the President’s decision to dispatch the nation’s top security leadership to the affected communities reflected his determination to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release.

Full Punch report