Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called on governments at all levels to work together to tackle insecurity and secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from the Yawota and Ahoro Esiele communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

Makinde made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving leaders and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who visited him on a peaceful solidarity rally to demand the swift and safe release of the abductees.

The governor described the incident as a national tragedy and cautioned against attempts to politicise the crisis or engage in a blame game.

“I have had the opportunity to engage with the leadership of NANS, NUT, and NLC. Let me say this clearly: this is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blame and play politics. I am personally distressed.

“My own father was a primary school teacher. He actually taught at Ahoro Dada, which is less than 15 kilometres from where this incident happened. My father was there between 1959 and 1960 and, if something like this had happened to him, perhaps I would not even have been born.

“So, it is not the time for us to say, ‘It is the President that should have handled this, it is the governor or the local government.’ This is the time to pull together as one.

“We are not dealing with normal human beings. Just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? Is that somebody who is normal?

“So, these are not normal people. I can only appeal to you, the students, the workers, the teachers, to please have trust in your government. We are doing our best.”

Makinde stressed that both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government were working closely together to ensure the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.

He assured labour leaders, teachers, and students that once the victims were safely rescued, his administration would consider recommendations aimed at strengthening the state’s security architecture over the long term.

“I have heard from the Federal Government, and I have been meeting with the security operatives sent here over the past two weeks. We should not provide oxygen to the people who want to see us divided.

“The response at this time should be to pull together and allow the government to see this through. I can give you the assurance that our children and their teachers, by the grace of God, will return safely.

“In an atmosphere of insecurity, virtually nothing can be achieved. Nothing. Schools, hospitals, and economic activities will all be grounded. We know this, and because we are not dealing with normal human beings, it is going to be a tortuous journey. All I will say is that from the Presidency to the state, we will continue to put in our efforts.

“But in the meantime, please, and please, and please, it is time to unite, confront the challenges before us, and bring back those children and our teachers,” he added.

In separate remarks, NANS National President Akinteye Babatunde, Oyo State NLC Chairman Kayode Martins, and Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Hassan Fatai, commended Makinde’s efforts while urging him to intensify measures aimed at securing the immediate release of the abductees.

They condemned the kidnapping and killing of innocent citizens, describing the perpetrators as enemies of the nation.

While pledging their support to the governor and his administration, they called for stronger security measures, particularly around schools, to ensure a safer and more conducive learning environment.

The pupils and teachers were abducted from their schools about two weeks ago, triggering national outrage and a series of protests.