President Bola Tinubu has condemned as barbaric the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers from Esiele community in Oyo State, while assuring that ongoing operations will lead to the rescue of all victims.

Bandits invaded Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff, students, and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

Security agencies are currently conducting coordinated operations to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators and their collaborators.

President Tinubu expressed sympathy to Governor Seyi Makinde, the government, and people of Oyo State over the incident, and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working with the state to secure the release of the abducted victims.

He said:

“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.

“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.

“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” the President said.