By The Take It Back Movement in Oyo State has accused the administrations of Governor Seyi Makinde and President Bola Tinubu of failing to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ahoro-Esinle community in Ogbomoso area of the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday May 26, 2026 and signed by its Oyo State Coordinator, Dimeji Salako, the group expressed outrage over what it described as the government’s slow response to the incident, which it said occurred on May 15, 2026.
The movement lamented that nearly two weeks after the abduction, the victims were still being held captive despite repeated appeals from families and residents of the affected community.
Salako said it was disturbing that the country was marking Children’s Day while abducted pupils remained in captivity under harsh conditions.
“It is painful and unacceptable that while the nation celebrates Children’s Day with ceremonies, speeches, and public relations campaigns about the importance of children, innocent pupils remain in captivity under horrifying conditions,” the statement read.
The group further alleged that one of the abducted teachers had been killed by the kidnappers, while the children continued to face torture and trauma in captivity.
According to the statement, the situation reflects the “terrible human cost of government failure and delayed actions.”
The organisation also criticised what it described as the absence of coordinated action from security agencies and authorities in Oyo State.
“We strongly condemn the lack of urgency and visible coordinated action from both the Oyo State Government and security agencies across board,” Salako stated.
The movement said the continued silence and delayed response from authorities had weakened public confidence in government’s ability to protect citizens, particularly those living in rural communities.
The group demanded immediate rescue operations to secure the release of the kidnapped victims and called for transparent updates from security agencies on efforts being made.
It also urged the government to provide emergency support for affected families and strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.
“The death of a teacher and the continued torture of innocent children must not be treated as ordinary news headlines,” the statement added.
The Take It Back Movement maintained that Nigeria could not genuinely celebrate Children’s Day while children remained in captivity, insisting that authorities must move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action.
