*As VDM Leads Protesters To Gov’s Private Residence
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has expressed readiness to exhaust every option to guarantee safe rescue of the kidnapped children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, assuring that the South-West state will not become another Chibok.
In 2014, ahead of the crucial 2015 general elections in the country, heavily armed Boko Haram terrorists stormed a public boarding secondary school in Chibok, Borno State in Nigeria’s troubled North-East, and abducted over 200 school girls, sparking local and international outrage, especially over what was later interpreted as the inability of the President Goodluck Jonathan federal administration to locate and free the girls.
The Chibok matter escalated into an election campaign issue and, among others, contributed to a negative perception of the Jonathan government and its consequent ousting from power at the polls.
Apparently explaining the limits of any governor’s constitutional powers over security matters, Gov. Makinde said he lacks massive capacity over federal security operatives, already in the hunt for the Oriire pupils and teachers.
Governor Makinde disclosed updates on the Oriire abductions today while addressing a group of protesters, led by social media influencer and activist, Martins Otse (a.k.a. VeryDarkMan, VDM) at his private residence, Ikolaba, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Makinde, who expressed readiness to join rescue mission that would bring the abductees home, stressed that avoiding further loss of life remained priority, adding that tougher decisions would not be ruled out.
Makinde, who did not disclose details of the ongoing operation, for security reasons, assured the protesters that the current security architecture in the state was capable of securing the release of the captives.
He expressed appreciation to the protesters for their efforts and peaceful manner they imbibed.
Earlier, while speaking on behalf of the protesters, VDM demanded action over the abduction and expressed the readiness of concerned Nigerians to go with security operatives on the rescue mission.
He charged the state government to expedite action on the rescue mission, adding that it ought not be “another Chibok experience.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Photo that went viral of some of the abducted pupils in the forest.
