Makinde spoke on Tuesday while addressing protesters led by
Martins Otse, the activist and social media influencer popularly known as
VeryDarkMan (VDM), at the Oyo state government house in Ibadan.
Hundreds of protesters marched through major roads in the
Oyo capital before converging on the government house to demand the urgent
rescue of the abductees, who clocked one month in captivity on Monday.
The governor said security agencies have continued efforts
to secure the victims’ release, adding that personnel involved in the operation
had suffered casualties.
“Oyo state is not Chibok and it will not be Chibok. We have
lost men, soldiers on this. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the
Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago,” he said.
“If you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to
come out, I will do it. I have lived a good life. I am almost 60. It doesn’t
matter. My own father died at 76.
“This is Oyo state. They know that this is not Chibok and
our children will never be in the same situation as Chibok children.
“We are doing everything possible, including what you
suggested. But there is the potential for needless loss of lives. We have lost
a teacher already.
“If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more. But
if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including
myself, we will do it.”
Makinde said government will not negotiate with the
abductors, warning that doing so would amount to surrendering the state’s
authority to criminal groups.
BACKGROUND
On May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA of
Ogbomoso, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers, including the principal of
one of the affected schools.
Days later, the abductors killed Michael Oyedokun, one of
the abducted teachers, while he was in captivity.
The abduction sparked outrage on social media and triggered
protests across the country calling for the release of the victims.
Last Friday, Makinde said intelligence reports indicated
that the abductees were still being held within the old Oyo National Park.
He said the area spans about 2,500 square kilometres across
parts of 10 local government areas, making rescue operations difficult.
“The size and difficult terrain of the area pose significant
operational challenges for security personnel, requiring patience, strategic
coordination, and sustained efforts to ensure a successful rescue operation,”
the governor had said.
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Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has said if elected as Nigerian President, he would negotiate with agitators from different parts of the country.
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