President Bola Tinubu has condemned the killing of one of the abducted teachers from Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as barbaric.

The President also assured that security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims abducted during the attack on schools in the area.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed sympathy with the affected families and the Oyo State Government.

“President Bola Tinubu has condemned as barbaric the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers from the Esiele community in Oyo State, while the rescue operation is underway,” the statement read.

According to the Presidency, armed men invaded schools in the Esiele community on Friday and abducted staff and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

The statement added that security operatives had launched coordinated operations to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

“Security operatives are working around the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend the bandits and their collaborators within the community,” it stated.

Tinubu sympathised with Governor Seyi Makinde and families affected by the incident, while commending ongoing rescue efforts.

“I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims,” the President said.

“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.”

The President said he was closely monitoring the operation and expressed confidence that the perpetrators would be arrested.

“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

Tinubu also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, saying the growing cases of kidnapping highlighted the need for decentralised policing.

“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas.

“The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” he said.