The families of students and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been assured of the imminent release of their loved ones following renewed advocacy by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The assurance was given by the President of NANS, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, during a condolence visit to the affected families in Esiele. Akinteye led members of the full organ of the apex students’ body to sympathise with the families and express solidarity with them amid the ongoing ordeal.
The visit comes weeks after armed men attacked multiple schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, abducting several students and staff members in a development that sparked widespread concern across the state and beyond.
Speaking with journalists during the visit, Akinteye said NANS shares in the pain of the affected families and remains committed to ensuring the safe return of all those held captive.
“We have come to identify with the families during this difficult period and to assure them that they are not alone. The entire Nigerian student community stands with them, and we are confident that their loved ones will regain their freedom,” he said.
Also speaking, the Senate President of NANS, Comrade Moses Ibeabuchi, reiterated the association’s commitment to the welfare and safety of students across the country.
Akinteye further disclosed that NANS is intensifying efforts to ensure swift government intervention, stressing that the student body would continue to engage relevant authorities and sustain pressure until the abducted students and teachers are released unharmed.
He called on security agencies to strengthen rescue operations and bring the perpetrators to justice, while urging the public to support ongoing efforts aimed at securing the victims’ freedom.
The abduction has continued to generate anxiety among residents and stakeholders in the education sector, with growing calls for improved security measures in schools across the country.