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The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has assured families of abducted teachers and students that his administration is working “round the clock” to secure their release, as Muslims celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir holiday on Wednesday.
“We are working round the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families,” Governor Makinde said after receiving Muslim faithful at his private residence in Ibadan, the state capital.
“So I also use this opportunity to say to those that are in despair right now, that God Almighty will meet them at their point of need.”
Scores of teachers and students were abducted during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15. One teacher was killed during the raid, while another was later beheaded in captivity. Several victims remain missing.
Makinde also urged Nigerians to embrace unity as the country approaches the 2027 election season.
“Even as we move towards this political season, government will come and go but our state and our country remain. Even when we disagree with ourselves, it’s a temporary thing,” he said.
“In another seven or eight months, president-elect would have emerged, governors-elect would have emerged. And whoever emerges, we will have to work together in the interest of our state and our country with such individuals and set of people.”
The governor said Oyo remained “a liberal and tolerant” state where religion and ethnicity could not easily be used as tools of division.
“This is because we are moving towards a political season and for us in Oyo we are very liberal and tolerant people. So, it’s difficult to use ethnicity or religion to divide us.”
