Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area occurred less than 24 hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.

He made the remark on Friday while addressing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Bauchi.

According to the governor, Oyo State had not recorded a similar incident throughout his seven years in office until the school abduction that occurred on May 15.

He stated that he publicly declared his presidential ambition at about 4 p.m., and by 9 a.m. the following day, pupils and teachers had been kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

Makinde’s comments came hours after the Presidency announced the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers following 56 days in captivity.

According to the Presidency, the victims were freed during a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.

The Presidency disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the DSS, while several other suspects were killed.

It also stated that the rescue mission was carried out without negotiations or the payment of ransom, despite demands by the kidnappers for the release of one of their detained leaders who is currently facing prosecution.

Reacting to the development, Makinde expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the victims.

He described the successful operation as a major relief for the affected families and residents of Oyo State, noting that it ended weeks of anxiety following the abduction.

President Tinubu also commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage and directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care, counselling and other necessary support for the rescued pupils and teachers.

Makinde had formally declared his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election on May 14 during a joint rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement in Ibadan, where he pledged to “reset Nigeria.”

He was subsequently adopted as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement through the party’s consensus nomination process.