Oyo Governor Points Finger at Political Sabotage as 56-Day Kidnap Ordeal Ends in Dramatic Rescue
The Shocking Timeline
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde dropped a political bombshell Friday revealing that the mass abduction of schoolchildren in his state happened hours after he declared his 2027 presidential bid.
“Seven years, nothing like this. I declared at 4 o’clock. By 9 AM the next morning the children were taken,” Makinde told a gathering with Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed and Allied Peoples Movement leaders.
Coincidence or Calculated?
The May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area marked the first major abduction during Makinde’s tenure. The timing has raised eyebrows across Nigeria’s political landscape.
Happy Ending After 56 Days
Just hours after Makinde’s explosive remarks, the Presidency announced all victims were freed in a joint military-DSS-police operation—with no ransom paid and no prisoner swap.
Eight suspected kidnappers are now in DSS custody, while others were neutralized.
Makinde’s Reaction
“Big relief,” the governor said, thanking President Tinubu and security forces for ending weeks of anxiety.
The Bigger Picture
Makinde officially entered the 2027 presidential race on May 14 at a PDP-APM rally in Ibadan, vowing to “reset Nigeria.” He later emerged as the APM consensus candidate.
