Suspected gunmen who abducted 39 students and seven teachers in Ahoro Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are now said to be in touch with the state government for a ransom of an undisclosed amount.

The incident has left teacher Michael Oyedokun reportedly beheaded.

The continued delay in the release of the victims, Vanguard gathered, has led their families to mount pressure on the federal and state governments, just as the Seyi Makinde administration has vowed to deploy resources to get the victims returned alive.

This came as the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee, NWC, led by Kabiru Turaki, yesterday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture following recent bandit attacks in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Similarly, Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, yesterday disclosed that he is still awaiting approval from the Federal Government to formally commence operations of his security outfit, Iru Ekun Security Network, as part of efforts to flush out criminal elements from forests across the South-West.

Kidnappers demand ransom

Multiple sources told Vanguard that the kidnappers have demanded ransom for the release of their victims.

The sources disclosed that indirect negotiations are ongoing, adding that the amount demanded by the abductors was being kept as a top secret.

It was further gathered that security agencies have deployed a police helicopter to be on standby in what a source described as “an area of interest”, just as Military jets are said to be making daily sorties over the forests.

Vanguard was made to understand that efforts to secure the release of kidnap victims are being coordinated by the Oyo State Government, Police, Military and Department of State Service, DSS.

Asked whether the kidnappers have mentioned a specific figure, the source said: “The latest on kidnappers is that they have made a demand, but the amount is still being kept under wraps. Indirect negotiations are ongoing.”

Another source disclosed that “families of victims are continuing to mount pressure on the Oyo State Government to meet the kidnappers’ demand.”

Giving details on efforts by the state government and security agencies, the source said: “Police helicopter is on standby; military jets fly sorties over the forests daily.

“Oyo State government, Police, Military, DSS are coordinating efforts to secure the release of the kidnap victims.”

Another source, however, assured that the “state government will not spare resources just to get the victims back. “Human lives are more important than money and ego.”

Family of beheaded teacher demands body for burial

Also, the family of the beheaded school teacher, late Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, yesterday, demanded the recovery of their son’s remains for proper burial.

The family, in a letter to President Bola Tinubu through their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said: “We write to formally bring to the attention of President Bola Tinubu the tragic kidnapping, brutal murder and beheading of the late Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, one of the abducted teachers of Community High School, Ohoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State by suspected terrorists on May 15, 2026.

“Despite widespread national outrage regarding the death of the late Mr Olugbade, his remains are yet to be seen or recovered. In this circumstance, we respectfully appeal for your urgent intervention to direct the relevant security and intelligence agencies towards locating and recovering his body, so that his family may be afforded the solemn opportunity to conduct a dignified burial and rescue other victims still in captivity.”

PDP BoT, interim NWC call for security overhaul

Following recent bandit attacks in the Oriire council area, Senator Wabara and members of the PDP interim NWC, led by Mr Turaki, yesterday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture.

The delegation met behind-closed doors with Governor Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, where they discussed the security situation in the state and expressed concern over the incidents.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the visit was to commiserate with the state government and people of Oyo State over the recent attacks.

He said: “The leadership of the PDP, including members of the NWC, the Interim National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees (BoT), came to commiserate with the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incidents that recently occurred in Oriire Local Government and some parts of Ibadan.

“We believe the issue of security is fundamental and must be taken very seriously. We are aware of the efforts the governor has consistently made to ensure the safety of the people of Oyo State and to protect lives and property across the state.

“Seeing incidents like these happen despite the enormous resources the governor has committed to security is deeply concerning, especially as the election period approaches.”

He also urged the Federal Government to urgently reform the country’s security structure, describing the current arrangement as ineffective.

“Our message to the Federal Government is that Nigeria’s security architecture urgently needs to be overhauled. This has become long overdue.

“It is contradictory for a governor to be referred to as the Chief Security Officer of a state while having no direct control over the security agencies operating within that state.

“You cannot imagine a situation where a governor convenes a Security Council meeting, decisions are taken, and yet the Commissioner of Police or military commanders must still seek clearance from Abuja before acting. By the time approvals are obtained, significant damage may already have been done.”

We’re ready to dislodge criminals from S-West forests— Igboho

On his part, Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho, promised to comply with the Executive Order recently issued by Governor Makinde, which regulates the activities of private security organisations operating within the state.

Igboho, in a statement, said: “We have submitted all the required documents for our registered security firm, Iru Ekun Security Network and are only waiting for the Federal Government approval, which will be granted soon.

“We are absolutely ready to collaborate with the Police, Department of State Service, DSS, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other relevant stakeholders in the security sector to flush out terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and other hoodlums, who are threatening the peace and safety of our people, most especially in rural communities.

“Besides, I want to state that we are also ready to comply with the new Executive Order issued by Governor Makinde to regulate the activities of private security concerns.”

Group worried over insecurity in Ondo

Meanwhile, the Ondo Redemption Front, ORF, has faulted the administration of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, accusing the state government of poor governance, insecurity, infrastructural decay and lack of clear developmental direction.

The Chairman of the group, Ayodeji Ologun and co-Chairman, Mogbojuri Kayode, in a statement, said it was compelled to speak out over what it described as the continued neglect of critical sectors and the worsening welfare of residents across Ondo State.

The group said its interventions were not politically motivated but driven by a commitment to accountability and public interest.

According to the ORF, despite repeated calls by residents for purposeful leadership, the Aiyedatiwa administration had failed to address major concerns relating to insecurity, healthcare, education, infrastructure, welfare and transparency.

The group alleged that governance in the state had become stagnant, claiming there were “no major projects reflecting serious developmental ambition or strategic planning.”

It further accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of prioritising politics and image management above governance, saying the administration was characterised by “motion without movement” and “activities without impact.”

On security, the group expressed concern over increasing cases of kidnapping, violent attacks and criminal activities in several communities, especially in rural areas.

It said: “Many farmers could no longer safely access their farmlands”, warning that the situation could “worsen food shortages and economic hardship in the state.”

“The silence and slow response of the government to these growing threats further reinforce the perception of a leadership disconnected from the realities confronting the people,” the statement read.

The ORF called for urgent action to tackle insecurity, visible infrastructural projects across the three senatorial districts, improved healthcare facilities, better welfare for education workers and greater transparency in public spending.

The group also urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to “place governance above politics” and demonstrate the leadership expected of his office.

“The people of Ondo State deserve leadership that inspires confidence, protects lives, develops infrastructure, strengthens institutions, and prioritises the welfare of the people above political survival,” it added. (Vanguard)

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