Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the recent kidnapping incidents in Oriire local government area of the state.
This came as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims.
Speaking on the development, the police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, hinted that security operations were going round the clock, stressing that the authorities were deliberately withholding sensitive details to avoid jeopardising the rescue mission.
According to him, revealing too much information about ongoing tactical operations could compromise efforts being made by security agencies to secure the safe release of the abducted victims.
“Operations are ongoing 24 hours daily, but disclosing too much information at this stage may affect the rescue mission,” the police spokesperson said.
Ayanlade also revealed that investigators were carrying out a forensic analysis to determine the source of a viral video allegedly released by the kidnappers and how it found its way onto the internet.
“The source of the video made by the kidnappers and how it got to the internet is currently undergoing forensic analysis,” he stated.
The Command assured residents that adequate security measures have been put in place ahead of the Sallah celebrations, with operatives strategically deployed across the state to maintain law and order.
“We have deployed operatives for the Sallah festivities, and all areas are being closely monitored,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has directed teachers in public schools across Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to stay away.
The directive was in view of the recent abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in some schools in the local government area.
The abducted students and teachers were still in captivity as of the time of filing this report on Tuesday.
The NUT State Secretary, Salami Olukayode, in a statement on Tuesday, directed teachers in the local government area to withdraw their services indefinitely, describing the abduction as unfortunate.
According to him, the incident had left a huge scar on the teachers, disclosing that the national executives of the body have directed teachers in the local government area to stay away from school starting Tuesday, 26 May, until further notice.
On the firm directive of the National Leadership of the Nigeria Union Teachers, the Oyo State wing of the Union hereby directs teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the State to stay away from the schools commencing from Tuesday, 26 May 2026 till further notice”, he said.
