‎Security operatives seal off escape routes as Oriire kidnappers trapped in National Park — Oyo govt

‎The Oyo State government has disclosed that suspected kidnappers responsible for the attack on LA School and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area, have been effectively trapped within the National Park corridor following coordinated security operations across the state.
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‎The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, made this known in a statement issued on Friday, saying security agencies had successfully restricted the movement of the suspects and blocked possible escape routes into neighbouring states, particularly Kwara State.
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‎The attack reportedly led to the killing of a teacher and the abduction of several pupils, alongside the principal, two vice principals and three teachers.
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‎According to the statement, one motorcycle rider and a teacher were shot during the incident, while the injured teacher later died from gunshot wounds.
‎Oyelade explained that immediately after the attack, which occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday, security agencies including the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Agro Rangers, the Nigeria Police Force and operatives from the Monitoring Unit were mobilised for rescue operations.
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‎He added that the Commissioner of Police subsequently directed the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) to join the operation, while security coordination was also extended to neighbouring Kwara State to prevent the suspects from crossing state boundaries.
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‎“The two police commands have strengthened surveillance to ensure any suspect attempting to flee would be apprehended,” the statement said.
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‎The commissioner further disclosed that fresh patrol operations commenced on Friday morning following intelligence reports indicating that the suspects remained within the National Park axis in Oyo State.
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‎According to him, three patrol teams comprising Amotekun operatives and local hunters drawn from seven local government areas in Oke-Ogun were deployed through Igbeti towards Oloka and surrounding communities to intensify search operations.
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‎While noting that authorities had yet to establish direct contact with the abductors, Oyelade said efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of abducted pupils, as school authorities were yet to provide accurate records of missing children.
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‎“This has made the rescue operation more difficult. What we are trying to do now is locate their position and apply pressure,” he stated.
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‎The commissioner assured residents that security personnel remained actively engaged in the operation and expressed confidence that sustained pressure on the suspects would aid the safe rescue of the abducted victims.
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‎He also maintained that current intelligence suggested the kidnappers remained trapped within the National Park corridor and were unable to move into Kwara State or other neighbouring areas.
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‎Oyelade said the swift response to the incident reflected the Oyo State Government’s sustained investment in security infrastructure and proactive measures aimed at safeguarding lives and property.
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‎He noted that the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, remains one of the best-funded security outfits in the South-West, operating 181 vehicles, 450 motorcycles and over 2,500 personnel across the state.
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‎According to him, the investments underscore the government’s commitment to maintaining a robust security architecture capable of responding swiftly to emerging threats and restoring normalcy to affected communities.
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‎He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to securing the release of all abducted victims.