By Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that the state government is ready to listen to the demands of the kidnappers behind the coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area on Friday, May 15.
In a security press briefing on Monday, May 18, Gov. Makinde noted that the state government will address the demands of the gunmen, while adding that his government will not give in to terror.
Makinde further added that the government is working in order to ensure the safe returns of the abducted teachers and children
“Now, to the group, all I can say is that, as a government, we will not give in to terror. We will do everything to ensure that uh uh our children and their teachers are returned uh safely
“So, whatever it is they demand, we’re ready to listen to them, address the ones that we can address as a state government, but the children and their teachers must be released timely,” he said.
When questioned about the availability of the reportedly ₦7.7bn purchased surveillance aircraft in July 2025, he explained the aircraft is already in Nigeria, but they are till undergoing reassembly at the Nigeria Air Force Hangar in Lagos. He noted that the manufacturer from China arrived three days ago to commence work on the aircraft, and it would take them up to 14 days before completion.
“The surveillance aircraft, they’ve arrived in the country. As of today, they are at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos, being reassembled. The manufacturer from China, they arrived in the country about three days ago. They should have about two weeks, roughly, to finish their work. So, I can say conclusively that those surveillance aircraft should be in operation on or before the end of June,” he said.
He added that while it is a proactive measure from the government to maintain peace across the borderline, the recent abduction came as an unprecedented attack on the state.
“However, we are proactive, we wanted to be able to cover the borderline between Oyo State and Kwara, and also the international border between Oyo State and Republic of Benin. But, we didn’t know this would happen at this stage, we didn’t plan for the procurement of the aircraft, having in mind that something like this will happen. However, deployment we have to wait until about the end of June,” he added.
