Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that the suspects and victims of the recent school abduction incident in Oriire Local Government Area of the state are still within the Old Oyo National Park axis.

Mr Makinde, who made the disclosure in his June newsletter on Friday, said the vast landmass, stretching across 10 local government areas and covering an estimated 2,500 square kilometres, explains the scale of the challenge encountered towards rescuing the victims, while noting that that ongoing rescue efforts required patience, coordination and persistence, adding that vigilance from members of the public is equally important.

Mr Makinde stated, “One thing I can say is that our security reports indicate that they remain within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis. This is a vast area that stretches across parts of 10 local government areas in our State, covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres.”

“I mention this not to discourage anyone, but to help us understand the scale of the challenge before us. This is not an issue affecting only Oriire Local Government Area.”

“It is an issue that concerns all of us. The size and terrain of the area require patience, coordination and persistence. It also means that vigilance from members of the public remains extremely important,” he said.

The governor acknowledged that families and members of the affected communities have lived in uncertainty since the incident, while pupils and teachers have been held captive for the past 27 days.

He urged residents, parents, relatives, friends and colleagues of the victims to believe in his administration and efforts to ensure the safe return of all the victims abducted on Friday, May 15.

He stated, “For 27 days, families have gone to bed without their loved ones. For 27 days, communities have lived with uncertainty. For 27 days, our children and teachers have remained in captivity.”

“I know that many times I have said, “We will get them home safely.” But I also know that having heard these words so often, without seeing that outcome yet, they may now sound hollow or empty. Please trust that they are not. We are doing everything within our power to bring them home safely.”

“We cannot share the details of what we are doing, but you can rest assured that every single day, we continue to pursue every credible lead and take every lawful action available to us to secure their release,” the governor said.

Mr Makinde assured families of the victims that their loved ones have not been forgotten, noting that the rescue of the missing pupils and teachers remain at the centre of his administration’s daily efforts.

He charged members of the public to be vigilant and to promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the state citizen enquiry number.

“If you see anything suspicious, please call 615, the Oyo State Citizens Enquiry Number. The line is toll-free and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your report will be received and acted upon,” he said.

He also appealed to the public to desist from spreading unverified information about abductions and to consciously avoid actions or inactions that could jeopardise ongoing rescue efforts.