Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the fate of the pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in the state will not be another Chibok episode when terrorists kidnapped schoolgirls in Borno State in April 2014. 

He assured that the pupils and teachers abducted in three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state on May 15 would be rescued without a repeat of such an incident.

Mr Makinde made the remark on Tuesday while addressing protesters led by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.

The  protesters were at the governor’s private residence in Ibadan to demand an end to insecurity and the prompt rescue of the hostages.

Stating that rescue efforts remained underway, the governor said that a lieutenant died a few days ago during efforts to rescue the victims.

Mr Makinde stated, “First, let me make it very clear, Oyo State is not Chibok and it will not be Chibok. We have lost men, soldiers and even officers. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago.

“This is Oyo State. They know that this is not Chibok and that our children will never be in the same situation as the Chibok children. We are doing everything possible.”

The governor said he was willing to sacrifice himself, if necessary, for the rescue of the victims, adding that the government was adopting an approach that would prevent further loss of life in the matter.

“If you ask me whether I can sacrifice myself for those children to come out, I will do it. I have led a good life. I am almost sixty. It doesn’t matter. My own father died at 76,” the governor said.

“But if there is a potential for needless loss of lives. We have already lost a teacher. If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more. But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it,’ he said.

Mr Makinde stated that the teachers and pupils are alive, adding that the fact that most of the victims are nursery and primary schoolchildren made the rescue operation particularly sensitive, requiring a careful and special approach.

“I can tell you that there is no information that any of those children or their teachers have died as of today. Because it is a rescue operation and this is the first time anywhere in Nigeria that they have kidnapped or abducted nursery and primary schoolchildren. These are children that cannot even run or do anything for themselves,” he said.

The governor said there has been communication, emphasising that the nature of the case has compelled the authorities to “bend backwards” to secure the release of both the teachers and pupils.

He noted that negotiating with the bandits would amount to surrendering the sovereignty of the state.

“I give you the assurance that I, as the Governor of Oyo State, by God’s grace, we will bring out our children. They are talking to us. It is not something I would normally do. If the government starts negotiating with bandits, it means we are surrendering our sovereignty to the bandits,” he said.

He added, “But in this special situation, if we want those children alive, we have to bend backwards. Once the children are out, I give you the assurance that it will not occur again in Oyo State.”

Mr Makinde explained that despite security being one of the cardinal principles of his administration, his intention had been constrained by the current security arrangement, noting that he has no authority to direct the state’s commissioner of police or order the military.

He stated, “I will not shift blame, but our reality is that the state government is not in charge of the security agencies. As the Governor of Oyo State, I am not in charge. The CP, I can call him, we can meet, but I cannot deploy him.

“If I say go to XYZ, he will need to get approval from the Inspector-General of Police. The same thing applies to the military. However, when I came in, security was one of the cardinal principles of the administration. That was why we set up Amotekun. Amotekun has not been adequately armed.”

He stated that the prolonged captivity of the victims continued to cause him distress, as a parent himself.

The governor urged the protesters to maintain peace as the demonstration continued, stating that such action was necessary to hold leaders accountable.

“I will tell you the truth and nothing but the truth. One, if I am not in government, I will be with you. I will also be protesting, assuming I am not the governor of Oyo State. I do not have anything against what you are doing to have a society where leaders are accountable and a society that is inclusive,” Mr Makinde stated.