Oyo Abduction: ‘If People Have To Be Sacrificed, Including Myself, We’ll Do It’— Gov. Makinde 

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Tuesday declared that he would be willing to sacrifice himself if necessary to ensure the safe return of abducted schoolchildren, their teacher and principal from Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that Oyo State would never experience a tragedy similar to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.

The governor made the remarks while addressing protesters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid growing concerns over the fate of the abducted pupils and school officials.

Makinde disclosed that a lieutenant of the Nigerian Army was killed two days earlier during ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims, underscoring the risks being faced by security personnel involved in the operation.

Addressing the crowd, the governor stressed that the state government was doing everything within its power to ensure the safe rescue of the children and school staff while avoiding further loss of lives.

According to him, Oyo State would not allow the situation to deteriorate into a national tragedy similar to the Chibok abduction.

“That's our position. First, let me make it very, very clear. Oyo State is not Chibok, and it will not be Chibok,” Makinde said.

“We have lost men, even soldiers, officers. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago. Yes.”

The governor said he was personally prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if it would guarantee the safe return of the abducted victims.

“So, if you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out? I will do it,” he said.

“I've lived a good life. I'm almost 60. It doesn't matter. My own father died at 76.”

Makinde, however, emphasised that the government’s immediate priority remained securing the release of the victims without causing additional casualties.

“But what we want to do is, this is Oyo State. They know that this is not Chibok, and our children will never be in the same situation as Chibok children,” he said.

“We're doing everything possible, including what you've suggested. But if there's the potential for needless loss of lives, we've lost a teacher already.”

The governor noted that authorities would continue to pursue every available option to prevent further deaths while working toward the victims’ rescue.

“If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more,” he said.

“But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it.”