Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has made a dramatic pledge to give his own life if it means securing the freedom of over 40 abducted schoolchildren and teachers, as the crisis in Ogbomoso enters its second month.
Addressing a charged crowd of protesters at the state government house in Ibadan on Tuesday led by activist and influencer Martins Otse (VeryDarkMan) Makinde acknowledged the mounting public anger.
The demonstrators had marched through the capital to demand action, marking one month since gunmen stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, snatching 39 pupils and seven staff members, including a school principal.
The governor revealed that the rescue mission has already come at a heavy cost: a Nigerian Army lieutenant was killed days ago, and one of the captive teachers, Michael Oyedokun, has been murdered by the abductors.
Yet Makinde insisted that Oyo will not become a repeat of the Chibok tragedy, vowing that the state’s children will not suffer the same fate.
“If my sacrifice is what it takes, I will do it,” he said, noting that at nearly 60, he has lived a full life. “We have lost lives already. If we can avoid more, we will but if sacrifice becomes unavoidable, including mine, we will not hesitate.”
Still, Makinde drew a firm line on negotiations, warning that paying ransom or striking deals would hand criminal groups undue power over the state.
He also pointed to the logistical nightmare of the rescue: intelligence places the hostages deep inside the old Oyo National Park a sprawling 2,500-square-kilometre wilderness cutting across 10 local governments, whose rough terrain has slowed security operations.
The abduction has ignited nationwide outrage, with protests spreading beyond Ibadan and social media boiling over with calls for immediate action.
The governor appealed for patience, saying the operation demands strategic coordination rather than reckless force that could cost more innocent lives.