Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disclosed his administration’s readiness to address the possible demands that may be set by the perpetrators of the recent school abduction incident in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Makinde disclosed the state’s government readiness during a press briefing on Monday at the state secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

“Whatever it is the demand, we are ready to address them. Address the one we can as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released timely,” the governor said.

He denounced the decline in intergroup relations in the country, noting that the suspects behind the attack are Nigerians rather than foreigners.

“Whatever it is, we once had a country which was what Chinua Achebe’s novel said, where we were our brothers’ keepers. How did we descend to this point? These are not foreign people. It is us against ourselves,” he said.

Mr Makinde stated that his administration would not concede to terrorism, while reaffirming his commitment to ensure the prompt release of all abducted victims.

“To the group, all I can say, as a government, is that we won’t give in to terror. We will do everything to ensure that our children and their teachers are returned safely,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the two surveillance aircraft purchased by the state government in June 2025 are currently being assembled and would be ready for use before the end of June 2026.

“The surveillance aircraft have arrived in the country. As of today, they are at the Nigerian airport hanger in Lagos being assembled. The manufacturer from China arrived about three days ago,” he said.

“They should have about two weeks to finish their work. I can say conclusively that those surveillance aircraft should be in operation on or before the end of June,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, the Peoples Gazette reported that President Bola Tinubu condemned and described the killing of one of the abducted teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as brutal and unfortunate. 

Mr Tinubu said his administration is working with the Oyo State Government to ensure the safe release of all abductees.

The president called on the National Assembly to expedite the enactment of policies that would establish state police to strengthen security, particularly in underserved areas.