Nigeria : Security Operatives Close In on Kidnappers in National Park

The Oyo State Government announced on Sunday, May 17, that suspected kidnappers involved in the assault on LA School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, located in the Oriire Local Government Area, have been effectively contained within the National Park region due to coordinated security operations designed to prevent their movement into adjacent states.

The assault resulted in the death of a teacher and the abduction of several pupils, as well as the kidnapping of the principal, two vice principals, and three teachers.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, it was reported that security forces have successfully encircled the area, limiting the suspects' movement and thwarting any potential escape into Kwara State or other nearby regions.

The commissioner stated that during the incident, one motorcycle rider and one teacher were shot, with the injured teacher later succumbing to their injuries.

Prince Oyelade elaborated that immediately following the attack, various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Agro Rangers, and the Nigeria Police Force, along with officers from the Monitoring Unit, were mobilized to initiate rescue operations.

He further mentioned that the Commissioner of Police subsequently instructed the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) to participate in the operation.

Additionally, he disclosed that the Commissioner of Police coordinated efforts with his counterpart in Kwara State, with both commands agreeing to enhance surveillance and ensure that any suspect attempting to cross state lines would be captured.

  Prince Oyelade indicated that patrol operations began on Saturday morning after intelligence suggested that the suspects remained within the National Park in Oyo State.

He also noted that three distinct patrol teams, consisting of Amotekun operatives and hunters from seven local government areas in Oke-Ogun, were deployed through Igbeti towards Oloka and surrounding communities.

While it has been noted that there has been no direct communication with the abductors thus far, the statement indicated that authorities are currently focused on establishing contact with them.