Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reassured families and residents of Oriire Council Area that the government and security agencies are working round the clock to secure the release of abducted teachers and pupils.
Makinde gave the assurance on Friday, while hosting a Nigerian Air Force delegation led by Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, AVM Abubakar A. Suleh, in Ibadan.
The governor urged residents of the state especially those in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire LGA to be patient as efforts were in top gear to rescue the victims.
The governor thanked the Air Force for deploying a Diamond-42 surveillance aircraft for real-time monitoring of the rescue operation.
He explained that the state had ordered two Diamond-42 aircraft, now being assembled at the NAF base in Lagos, but the Force provided a replacement plane while the state’s aircraft were being fitted.
He emphasised that patience was required to successfully carry out the operation, noting that his government bought the aircraft proactively to ease the burden on overstretched security forces.
Makinde added that the state would take up the NAF’s offer to train pilots and maintain the aircraft once deployed.
He also commended the Air Force cordial relationship with civilians in Ibadan and promised to fulfill state commitments, including completing the Air Force Base and other projects.
AVM Suleh apologised that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, could not attend due to national duties.
He assured Makinde that all NAF units remained committed to a quick resolution and praised the governor’s support, citing projects like the Air Force School perimeter fence in Iyana Offa, dualisation of the Ajia base road, and land approvals for housing and farms.
The delegation included NAF Investments Ltd GMD, AVM Ibitayo Victor Ajiboye, and Air Force Station, Ibadan Commander, Air Commodore D.U. Njoku.
Meanwhile, Makinde has signed an executive order restricting commercial motorcycle operations and enforcing vehicle registration.
The Executive Order 002 of 2026, signed to strengthen security, henceforth bans commercial motorcyclists from operating between 10.30 p.m. and 5.30 a.m.
Shortly after signing the order in his office, Makinde said the directive included strict compliance with existing laws on vehicle registration and road use.
He noted that unregistered vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles have increasingly been used to carry out criminal activities.
According to him, security agencies often struggle to track and investigate such crimes because of missing registration details.
The executive order, he explained, creates a legal framework for enforcing vehicle registration requirements and other traffic regulations, including penalties for driving against traffic and other public safety violations.
“Under the order, designated enforcement agencies are empowered to arrest offenders and impound any vehicle, motorcycle or tricycle found in violation.
“Offenders will be prosecuted according to the law, while seized assets will be processed through established legal procedures,” he said.
Makinde further linked the new measures to recent security breaches in the state, particularly the May 15 abduction of school children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
“We are living through very trying times. For over 20 days, our teachers and pupils have remained in captivity in the hands of terrorists.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with them and with their families who continue to endure unimaginable pain and uncertainty,” he said.
He assured residents of his administration’s commitment to securing the safe return of all victims and working closely with security agencies to achieve all set goals.
“As a government, we share in their anxiety and their hope, and we remain committed to doing everything within our power to secure the safe return of every one of them,” Makinde said.
While he declined to give operational details for security reasons, Makinde said extensive efforts were ongoing behind the scenes.
He urged residents not to mistake the government’s silence for inaction.
Commissioner for Justice, Abidoun Aikomo, had earlier outlined the framework of the order.
According to Aikomo, it entails prohibitions on unmarked vehicles and driving against traffic, as well as regulations on vehicle registration, among other security measures.
