President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the killing of one of the teachers abducted during the recent attack on schools in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the act as barbaric and inhumane.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President assured Nigerians that security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims still in captivity.
The statement released from the State House in Abuja on May 18, 2026, said the President was deeply saddened by the development.
“President Bola Tinubu has condemned as barbaric the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers from the Esiele community in Oyo State, while the rescue operation is underway,” the statement read.
According to the Presidency, armed bandits stormed schools in the Esiele community last Friday and abducted pupils, teachers and other staff members from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
The Federal Government disclosed that security agencies had already launched coordinated operations aimed at rescuing the victims and tracking down those responsible for the attack.
“Security operatives are working around the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend the bandits and their collaborators within the community,” the statement added.
President Tinubu also sympathised with Seyi Makinde, the affected families and residents of the community, while commending the efforts already taken by the Oyo State Government in response to the incident.
“I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims,” Tinubu stated.
The President further explained that the Federal Government was working closely with the Oyo State Government to ensure the safe release of all abducted persons.
He also praised the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, especially the Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara states, for deploying tactical and intelligence teams to the affected areas.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of tactical and Intelligence Response Team personnel to rescue the victims,” he said.
Tinubu disclosed that he was personally monitoring developments and revealed that the Inspector-General of Police was leading a technology-driven security operation expected to produce results soon.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the President assured.
The President also renewed his support for the creation of state police, arguing that the increasing wave of kidnappings and attacks across the country has further exposed the need for decentralised policing.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” Tinubu added.
