Amid growing public anger over the mass abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a high-level presidential delegation to Ogbomoso in what appears to be the administration’s strongest response yet to the crisis.
The delegation, headed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, includes National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunde Disu, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, and Presidential Adviser on Public Communications Sunday Dare.
Their arrival comes more than two weeks after armed attackers reportedly invaded schools in Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers and triggering nationwide outrage.
The incident has fueled fresh concerns over the safety of schoolchildren and the persistent threat of kidnapping despite repeated assurances from government officials that security is improving.
For days, Nigerians, activists, and political commentators questioned the Federal Government’s silence over the tragedy, urging President Tinubu to personally intervene and demonstrate greater urgency in addressing the fate of the victims.
The presidential team is expected to engage community leaders, security personnel, and affected families as efforts continue to secure the release of those still in captivity.
Announcing the visit, Sunday Dare said the President had ordered an intensified security operation aimed at rescuing the victims and bringing the attackers to justice.
The deployment of top security and government officials underscores the growing national significance of the incident, which has become another test of the administration’s promise to tackle insecurity and protect vulnerable communities across the country.