Parents Of Abducted Oyo School Pulpils Reject Rice, Money, Make Demands

Families of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oyo State have rejected rice and cash brought by government officials, insisting that their only demand is the safe return of their loved ones.

Naija News reports that the Baale of Yawota, Emmanuel Alade, disclosed this during an interview with News Central on Monday while recounting the abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

Alade said government representatives who visited the affected communities to sympathise with residents came with relief materials and money, but the families rejected them.

He stated, “When the government officials came, they came with rice and money, but the parents rejected it.

“The women who are government officials on Governor Seyi Makinde’s team came to console us. They brought rice and money, but the parents said they did not want it. They said what they wanted was for their children to be released.”

The community leader also narrated how the attack unfolded. He said he saw unfamiliar persons pass through the area shortly before gunshots were heard.

He further stated, “On the day the incident happened, I was sitting here when I saw them pass by, but I did not know them. Not long after, we started hearing gunshots. People said bandits had entered the community, and everyone ran away.

“The person who went to meet them was killed, and that was how the students were taken away. Little children were abducted while the gunmen kept shooting.”

Alade added that community members later reported the attack to the police, who subsequently visited the area.

Makinde, FG Delegation Visit Communities

The revelation comes amid visits by state and federal government officials to the affected communities as efforts continue to secure the victims’ release.

Governor Seyi Makinde had on Saturday met with families of the kidnapped pupils and staff members at Ahoro-Esiele community.

He assured them that security agencies were working to rescue the abductees safely.

The following day, a Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited Esiele and Yawota communities on President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

The delegation included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

They assured residents that every available resource was being deployed to secure the release of the victims.