President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State as part of efforts to strengthen security and tackle criminal activities in forested areas.
The President also directed a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The directive was conveyed on Sunday by a high-powered Federal Government delegation that visited the affected communities of Esiele and Yawota, 16 days after gunmen invaded the area and kidnapped dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation informed community leaders and stakeholders of the President’s decisions aimed at improving security in the area.
The team was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
The delegation also disclosed that a request by community leaders for the establishment of a military base in the area had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
Meanwhile, the abduction crisis has triggered fresh reactions from organised labour in the education sector.
Recall that The Nigeria Union of Teachers declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State and announced plans to organise solidarity rallies across the country to draw attention to the plight of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The union said the actions were intended to increase pressure on authorities to secure the immediate release of the victims and strengthen security around schools.
