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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he would be willing to sacrifice himself if it would guarantee the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in the state.
Makinde stated this on Tuesday while addressing demonstrators led by activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan.
The demonstrators had marched through major roads in the state capital to demand the rescue of the victims, who had been in captivity for one month.
The governor said security agencies were continuing efforts to secure the release of the abductees, revealing that some personnel involved in the operation had lost their lives.
According to him, a Nigerian Army lieutenant was recently killed during efforts to rescue the victims.
Makinde said he would not hesitate to make the ultimate sacrifice if it would bring the children home safely, stressing that the state was committed to ensuring the abductees did not suffer the same fate as the Chibok schoolgirls.
“Oyo state is not Chibok and it will not be Chibok. We have lost men, soldiers on this. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago,” Makinde said.
“If you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out, I will do it. I have lived a good life. I am almost 60. It doesn’t matter. My own father died at 76.
“This is Oyo state. They know that this is not Chibok and our children will never be in the same situation as Chibok children.
“We are doing everything possible, including what you suggested. But there is the potential for needless loss of lives. We have lost a teacher already.
“If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more. But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it,” he added.
Makinde, however, ruled out negotiating with the kidnappers, arguing that doing so would amount to surrendering the authority of the state to criminal elements.
Gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso on May 15, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal.
Days after the abduction, one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and prompted calls for urgent government action to secure the release of the remaining victims.
Last week, Makinde said intelligence reports indicated that the abductees were still being held within the old Oyo National Park.
He explained that the area covers about 2,500 square kilometres across parts of 10 local government areas, making rescue operations particularly challenging due to its vast size and difficult terrain.
The governor said the circumstances required patience, strategic coordination and sustained security operations to achieve a successful outcome.
