To strengthen ongoing rescue efforts for the teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
A police source disclosed to Naija Street Matters in Ibadan on Tuesday that the reinforcement was part of coordinated operations aimed at ensuring the safe release of the victims.
According to the source, security operatives are intensifying efforts on all fronts to secure the freedom of the kidnapped teachers and students without harm.
Naija Street Matters gathered that the abduction involved pupils and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele. The attackers reportedly struck on Friday around 9:30am.
Governor Seyi Makinde earlier confirmed that seven students were kidnapped from Community Secondary School, while 18 children and seven teachers were abducted from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. One person was also killed during the attack.
The incident triggered fear across Ogbomoso as rumours spread that armed bandits had invaded the town. Panic forced many parents to rush to schools to pick up their children, while some schools closed abruptly.
There were also speculations that suspected bandits had entered Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
Residents said frightened pupils jumped fences and windows while fleeing school premises. Parents also flooded schools to evacuate their children.
Reports from Ajaawa in Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area further heightened tension as locals alleged that armed men were disturbing the peace in nearby communities.
However, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed claims of a bandit invasion in Ogbomoso, describing the situation as a false alarm.
Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade explained that the panic started after students noticed unfamiliar individuals near a school fence.
Investigations later revealed that the individuals included an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps from Kwara State alongside two civilians travelling in a Toyota Venza SUV.
The visitors reportedly stated they were in the area to celebrate the birthday of the woman among them. During questioning, a misunderstanding allegedly occurred between teachers and the visitors, which fuelled suspicion and panic among students.
Police said unverified rumours quickly spread to nearby schools and communities, causing widespread fear before facts were confirmed.
Authorities added that patrols and security visibility had been intensified across affected areas, while community stakeholders were engaged to calm residents.
The police warned members of the public against spreading false security reports capable of creating unnecessary panic and disrupting public peace.
Meanwhile, the management of LAUTECH denied rumours that the institution had been shut down over fears of an attack.
In a statement signed by Registrar Olayinka Balogun, the university described the report as false, stressing that academic activities and examinations were continuing as scheduled.
Traditional rulers from the five local governments in Ogbomosoland have now called on the Federal Government to establish a military base in Oriire Local Government Area to tackle rising insecurity.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Alapa of Apa, Oba Akin Akintola, expressed concern over increasing attacks around forest communities and neighbouring areas.
He said the presence of soldiers and military equipment near the forest reserve would help protect communities from kidnappers and armed gangs.
The monarch argued that the growing sophistication of attacks had gone beyond what conventional police operations alone could handle.
According to him, farmers now fear going to their farms, while many residents no longer sleep peacefully due to constant threats of abduction and violence.
The royal fathers appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently approve the establishment of a military formation in the Ogbomoso axis, especially around Oriire and adjoining forests.
The Oodua People’s Congress also urged South-West governors to empower local security outfits and vigilante groups to confront criminal gangs operating in the region.
OPC President Wasiu Afolabi accused political leaders in the South-West of ignoring repeated warnings about worsening insecurity.
He stated that the killings, kidnappings and attacks against Yoruba communities could no longer be tolerated, stressing that residents should be able to farm, travel and attend school without fear.
The group called for stronger collaboration between vigilantes, hunters and security agencies, while renewing demands for state police structures.
Similarly, Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, declared that he and his supporters were prepared to enter forests across the South-West to flush out criminal elements terrorising communities.
Igboho said he was awaiting government approval to launch operations through the proposed Iru Ekun Security Network.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria also condemned the abduction and killing linked to the attack, describing the incident as evidence of deepening insecurity across the country.
PFN President Francis Oke said the attack on schools in Oriire represented another tragic reminder of the nation’s worsening security situation.
The fellowship mourned the killing of teacher Michael Oyedokun and expressed concern over the safety of the abducted children and teachers still in captivity.
According to the PFN, the continued attacks on schools and rural communities showed a major failure of governance and security protection.
The organisation warned that insurgency, kidnapping and armed banditry were rapidly spreading beyond northern Nigeria into other parts of the country.
PFN urged authorities to move beyond promises and take decisive action to end the wave of violence and insecurity affecting citizens nationwide.
