‘His sacrifice will never be forgotten’, Tinubu consoles widow of slaughtered Oyo teacher 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sympathy to families affected by the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, assuring Nigerians that efforts to rescue the victims remain a top priority.

In a statement issued on Monday, the President said he shared the grief and anxiety of the affected families following the attack on the Esiele and Yawota communities, stressing that children should never be taken from the safety of their schools.

“No child should be taken from the safety of a classroom. No parent should have to endure this anguish,” Tinubu stated.

The President also greeted the wife of the Mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was slaughtered, Mrs. Mary Oyedokun.

He extended his condolences to the family, assuring them that her sacrifice would not be forgotten.

“I also extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late teacher, Mrs Mary Oyedokun. Her sacrifice will not be forgotten, and her family will not be abandoned,” he said.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, noting that rescue operations would be conducted through a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach involving both military and non-military strategies.

“Our rescue efforts will be intelligence-led, careful, coordinated, and sustained. We will deploy every lawful tool available, both kinetic and non-kinetic, to ensure our children and teachers are safely returned home,” he added.

The President’s remarks come weeks after gunmen abducted pupils and teachers from communities in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026, an incident that has intensified concerns about school security and rural safety across the country.

Following the attack, the Federal Government dispatched a high-powered delegation to the affected communities. 

The team included the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence; and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, among other senior officials.

As part of ongoing security measures, Tinubu disclosed that a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities had been deployed to strengthen efforts aimed at securing the victims’ freedom. 

He also highlighted plans to recruit and deploy 1,000 forest guards in partnership with the Oyo State Government to improve surveillance in forest areas often used as hideouts by criminal groups.