Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday confirmed the death of a Nigerian Army lieutenant during ongoing military operations to rescue abducted pupils, their teacher and principal in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, who addressed a crowd of protesters in Ibadan over the rising tension surrounding the abduction, said the officer was killed two days earlier while troops intensified efforts to secure the release of the victims.
The incident underscores the escalating risks faced by security operatives involved in the rescue mission, as authorities battle to prevent a repeat of mass school abductions witnessed in other parts of the country.
Makinde said the state government, in collaboration with security agencies including the Nigerian Army, was deploying all available resources to ensure the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren and staff.
According to him, while the priority remains the safe rescue of the victims, the operation has already recorded casualties.
“We have lost men, even soldiers, officers. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago,” the governor said.
He warned that Oyo State would not allow the situation to degenerate into a national tragedy like the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, insisting that every necessary measure was being taken to avoid further loss of lives.
Makinde also expressed personal readiness to make the ultimate sacrifice if it would guarantee the safe return of the abducted victims.
“So, if you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out? I will do it,” he said.
The governor, however, stressed that the government would proceed cautiously to avoid additional casualties in the ongoing operation.
“If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more,” he said, adding that authorities were reviewing all tactical options to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
Security operations are still ongoing in the affected area as anxiety continues to mount among residents and families of the abducted pupils and school officials.
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