By Fatima Saka
ABUJA, May 31, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised security team in a decisive response to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Ogbomoso, underscoring renewed federal urgency to tackle insecurity in vulnerable communities.
The directive follows the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen kidnapped students and staff from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School—an incident that has sparked national outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of educational institutions.
Announcing the intervention during a federal delegation’s visit to the affected communities, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the recruitment of forest guards would strengthen local surveillance and deny criminal groups safe havens in forested areas.
He added that a specialised rescue unit had already been deployed, combining intelligence-driven operations with both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies aimed at securing the safe release of the victims.
“Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” Gbajabiamila assured residents.
The delegation included key national security figures such as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, and Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, reflecting the gravity of the situation and coordinated federal response.
Their presence signalled a unified command approach, with authorities promising intensified operations and better coordination among security agencies.
Community leaders and lawmakers used the visit to press for the establishment of a permanent military base in the area, arguing that sustained presence is necessary to deter recurring attacks.
Gbajabiamila confirmed that the request would be formally presented to the President for consideration, highlighting growing calls for long-term structural security solutions rather than reactive interventions.
Beyond security measures, the delegation also acknowledged the human toll of the tragedy. At the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, federal officials expressed condolences and solidarity with the community.
In a poignant moment, the team visited the family of a deceased teacher, Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, where the government pledged support for her children—an acknowledgment of the personal losses behind the headlines.
The Ogbomoso abduction adds to a troubling pattern of school-targeted attacks across Nigeria, raising urgent questions about the safety of learning environments and the long-term impact on education in rural communities.
Analysts note that while the recruitment of forest guards represents a proactive step, its effectiveness will depend on proper training, coordination with existing security agencies, and sustained funding.
The latest intervention is seen as a critical test of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to reversing insecurity trends, particularly in the Southwest where such incidents have been relatively less frequent but increasingly alarming.
For now, affected families and communities await concrete results—chiefly, the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers—while the nation watches closely to see whether this multi-pronged response will mark a turning point or remain another reactive measure in Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
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