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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reassured families and residents of Oriire Council area that government and security agencies are working round the clock to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Makinde gave the assurance on Friday, while hosting a delegation of the Nigerian Air Force led by the Commanding Officer of the Air Force, Logistics Command, AVM Abubakar A. Suleh, in Ibadan.
The governor urged residents of the state, especially those of Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire LGA, to be patient as efforts to rescue the victims are at maximum.
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 aircraft while the state aircraft were being set up.
He stressed that patience is needed to successfully carry out the operation, stressing that his government procured the aircraft proactively to ease the burden on overstretched security forces.
Makinde added that the state would accept the NAF’s offer to train the pilots and maintain the aircraft once deployed.
He also commended the air force’s cordial relationship with civilians in Ibadan and promised to fulfill state commitments, including the completion of the air force base and other projects.
AVM Suleh apologized that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, could not attend due to national duties.
He assured Makinde that all NAF units remained committed to a speedy resolution and commended the governor’s support, citing projects such as the perimeter fencing of the Air Force School at Iyana Offa, dualisation of the Ajia Base Road and approval of land for housing and farms.
The delegation included NAF Investments Ltd GMD, AVM Ibitayo Victor Ajiboye and Air Force Station, Ibadan Commander, Air Commodore DU Njoku.
Meanwhile, Makinde signed an executive order restricting commercial motorcycle operations and mandating vehicle registration.
Executive Order 002 of 2026, signed to strengthen safety, now prohibits 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 requires strict compliance with existing laws on vehicle registration and road use.
He noted that unregistered vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles are increasingly being used to carry out criminal activities.
According to him, security agencies often find it difficult to track and investigate such crimes due to lack of registration details.
The executive order, he explained, creates a legal framework to enforce vehicle registration requirements and other traffic regulations, including penalties for wrong-way driving and other public safety violations.
“Under the order, designated law enforcement agencies have the power to arrest violators and seize any vehicle, motorcycle or tricycle found in violation.
“Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, while seized assets will be processed through established legal procedures,” he said.
Makinde also linked the new measures to recent security breaches in the state, particularly the May 15 kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
“We live in very difficult times. For over 20 days, our teachers and pupils remained prisoners in the hands of terrorists.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families who continue to endure unimaginable pain and uncertainty,” he said.
He assured residents of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of all victims and working closely with security agencies to achieve all set objectives.
“As a government, we share their anxiety and their hope, and we remain committed to doing everything in our power to ensure the safe return of each and every one of them,” Makinde said.
While declining to provide operational details for security reasons, Makinde said major efforts were underway behind the scenes.
He urged residents not to confuse government silence with inaction.
The Commissioner for Justice, Abidoun Aikomo, had previously outlined the framework of the ordinance.
According to Aikomo, this involves, among other safety measures, a ban on the circulation of unmarked vehicles and driving on the wrong side of the road, as well as regulations on vehicle registration.
