Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, said that a Nigerian Army Lieutenant lost his life during ongoing efforts to rescue abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
This was as the governor vowed that he was prepared to make any sacrifice necessary to secure the victims’ freedom.
Governor Makinde, who stated these while addressing protesters who trooped out in Ibadan, demanding an urgent action over the continued captivity of the victims, said that security agencies were continuing efforts to rescue the victims while seeking to avoid additional casualties.
Makinde stated that the officer was killed two days earlier during rescue operations aimed at securing the release of the victims.
In the words of Makinde; “We have lost men, even soldiers, officers. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago”.
The governor explained that the incident underscored the dangers faced by security operatives involved in the operation, adding however, that the state government would not allow the incident to degenerate into a prolonged national tragedy similar to the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, in 2014.
Makinde assured that authorities remained committed to exhausting all available options to secure the release of the victims and prevent further loss of lives, saying that security agencies are balancing the need for decisive action with the responsibility to protect both the captives and personnel involved in rescue efforts.
He said; “We’re doing everything possible. 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. I have lived a good life. I’m almost 60. It doesn’t matter. My own father died at 76.”
The victims were abducted on May 15, when gunmen attacked Community High School, Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Yawota and another nearby school in Oriire Local Government Area and were later reportedly marched into the Old Oyo National Park, one of Nigeria’s largest forest reserves.
The abductors later beheaded a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, and held other victims in captivity, a development that triggered widespread outrage across Oyo State and beyond.
The incident prompted protests by teachers, civil society groups and parents who demanded stronger action from the government.
