Makinde Links Oyo Kidnapping to His Presidential Declaration

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has suggested a sinister connection between the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) and his declaration to run for the presidency.

Speaking at a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) leaders in Bauchi on Friday, Makinde revealed the attack came just hours after he announced his ambition.

According to him, Oyo had been free of such incidents throughout his seven years in office before the 15 May attack.

"For seven years, we didn't witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o'clock, and by 9 am the following morning, the children were abducted," he said.

Hours after his remarks, the Presidency announced that all the victims had been rescued after 56 days in captivity, in a joint operation involving the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police.

Eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised during the operation.

The Presidency said there was no negotiation or exchange to secure the release, despite the abductors demanding the release of one of their detained kingpins currently facing prosecution.

Makinde welcomed the news with evident relief, thanking President Bola Tinubu, the military, the police, the DSS and other security agencies for securing the victims' freedom.

He described the rescue as "a big relief" for the families of the victims and the people of Oyo State.

Tinubu commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage.

He directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other support for the freed pupils and teachers.

Makinde formally declared his presidential ambition on 14 May at a joint Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APM rally in Ibadan, where he announced his intention to "reset Nigeria."

He subsequently emerged as the APM's presidential candidate at the party's primary later that month after running as its consensus candidate.