In the wake of the horrifying abduction of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo has added her voice to growing calls for urgent action.
The Iyaloja-General made the remarks during a condolence visit to Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
"I know that the Federal Government and the State Government are working fervently to secure the release of these children and their teachers, but they should do more," she stated.
On May 15, armed gunmen stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area — Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Ahoro-Esinele. They abducted around 39 pupils, some as young as two years old, and seven teachers.
One teacher was reportedly killed during the attack, with another killed in captivity, according to accounts from the community and officials. Weeks later, many victims remain in the hands of their captors, leaving families devastated.
Food flasks and scattered notes still litter empty classrooms, stark reminders of the chaos that unfolded that morning. Schools in the area have been shut, and residents grapple with fear and uncertainty.
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the incident as barbaric, ordering a full-scale manhunt and assuring rescue efforts. A presidential delegation visited affected communities, and recruitment of forest guards was approved.
Yet, public frustration boils over. Protests have erupted in Oyo, with chants of "Tinubu ole" echoing streets as residents decry slow progress and perceived government inaction.
Controversy has swirled, with former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose suggesting the abduction might have been orchestrated to pressure the presidency — claims that add to the political tension surrounding the crisis.
Teachers in Oyo have embarked on strikes, amplifying demands for better security in schools nationwide. The attack marks a troubling spread of school-targeted kidnappings to the southwest.
Folashade Tinubu-Ojo's visit and statement come amid these pressures. While acknowledging ongoing work by federal and state authorities, her call for more decisive steps underscores the human cost. Families wait in trauma, their daily lives shattered.
As rescue operations continue, the incident highlights deeper security challenges. Nigerians demand not just words, but tangible results to bring the children and teachers home safely. The pain in Oriire serves as a grim reminder of vulnerabilities that persist despite assurances from the highest levels.

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