President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and directed the deployment of a specialised security unit to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The announcement was made on Sunday during a visit by a Federal Government delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities, where gunmen abducted pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026.

The delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, conveyed the President’s concern over the incident and assured residents that efforts were being intensified to ensure the safe return of the victims.

According to the delegation, the recruitment of the forest guards will be carried out in collaboration with the Oyo State Government as part of measures to strengthen security in the affected communities.

The team also informed community leaders and lawmakers that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be forwarded to the President for consideration.

Speaking to residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu was deeply troubled by the abduction and had directed security agencies to deploy all available resources toward rescuing the victims.

He assured parents and community members that the operation would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated, combining both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to ensure the victims’ safe release.

The delegation included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; and the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

As part of the visit, the delegation paid a condolence visit to the palace of the Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye and also met with Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, wife of a deceased teacher affected by the incident. Gbajabiamila conveyed the President’s condolences to the family and assured them of government support.

The visit forms part of the Federal Government’s response to the abduction, which has sparked concerns among residents of the affected communities and renewed calls for stronger security measures in the area.