A high-powered federal government delegation visited communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Sunday, May 31, 2026, following the abduction of pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026. The delegation conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s deep concern over the incident and his commitment to securing the safe return of the victims, underscoring a broader national struggle with escalating insecurity.

The May 15 attack left the rural communities of Ahoro-Esin-Ile, Yawota, and Alawusa traumatized, with survivors and families recounting their harrowing ordeals. Aminat, a student, narrowly escaped but later discovered her elder brother was missing. Mama Muheez, another parent, described her eight-year-old son, Abdulraman, as among the abducted, expressing immense difficulty in eating or sleeping, and noting that her remaining children were too frightened to return to school. Sarah Aina shared the anguish of one of her twin children being taken during an examination. Further tragedy struck during rescue efforts when a resident, Shuaibu Adigun, was killed by explosives planted along access routes by the attackers, highlighting the dangerous tactics employed by the perpetrators.

Led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the delegation, which included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and other top security officials, outlined immediate measures to address the crisis. President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government and directed a specialized security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts. The request for a military base in the area would also be conveyed to the president for consideration. Gbajabiamila assured residents that the operation would be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures. The delegation also visited the Soun of Ogbomoso land, HRM Kabiyesi Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and met with Mary Oyedokun, the wife of a deceased teacher, promising the family support.

In response to the abductions, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely starting Monday, June 1, 2026. This directive, issued in a national circular, mandates teachers to remain at home until their abducted colleagues and learners are safely released. The union also announced nationwide solidarity rallies scheduled for June 2, 2026, across all state capitals, expressing deep distress over the