Families of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oyo State have rejected relief materials and cash offered by government officials, insisting that the safe return of their loved ones remains their only concern.
The Baale of Yawota community, Emmanuel Alade, disclosed this during an interview on Monday, describing the emotional response of parents following the mass abduction in Orire Local Government Area.
According to Alade, government representatives who visited the affected communities to sympathise with residents were met with a firm rejection when they presented rice and financial assistance.
“When government officials came with rice and money, the parents refused to accept them,” Alade said.
“The women on Governor Seyi Makinde’s team came to console us and brought relief materials, but the parents said they did not want rice or money. What they want is the release of their children.”
The traditional leader also recounted the events leading to the attack, explaining that he noticed unfamiliar individuals moving through the community shortly before gunfire erupted.
“On the day of the incident, I was sitting here when I saw some strangers pass by. I did not know them. Shortly afterwards, we began hearing gunshots. People started shouting that bandits had invaded the community, and everyone fled for safety,” he said.
According to him, a resident who attempted to approach the gunmen was killed, while several pupils were forcefully taken away.
“The person who went to meet them was killed, and that was how the students were abducted. Little children were taken while the attackers continued shooting,” he added.
Community members later alerted security agencies, prompting a police response to the area.
The development comes as both state and federal authorities intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Governor Seyi Makinde recently visited affected families in Ahoro-Esiele community, assuring them that security agencies were working relentlessly to rescue the victims. He pledged that all abductees would be returned safely and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity.
In a separate intervention, a Federal Government delegation led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited the affected communities on the directive of President Bola Tinubu. The delegation included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa.
The federal team assured residents that all available security resources were being deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
The abduction, which occurred more than two weeks ago, has heightened anxiety among residents and renewed concerns about security challenges facing rural communities and border areas in Oyo State.
For the grieving families, however, the message remains clear: no amount of relief materials can replace the safe return of their children and loved ones.
