The Oyo State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) has faulted Governor Seyi Makinde over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, accusing the governor of prioritising politics above the security of residents.
The party, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Kayode Babayomi, on Monday, made available to Third Lens, described the worsening insecurity in the state as alarming.
The AAC said, “We as a party are deeply concerned about the safety and lives of the people of Oyo State. Sadly, Seyi Makinde appears to prioritize politics over the security and welfare of the people.”
The party added that, “The rate of insecurity and mass kidnappings in Oyo State has risen to an alarming level. Farmers are now afraid to go to their farms, traders fear being kidnapped while travelling, students are no longer safe, and parents are living in constant fear over the safety of their children.”
The opposition party also accused the governor of focusing on succession politics rather than governance.
“This is the current state of Oyo, yet Makinde’s priority remains politics and how to install one of his puppets,” the statement added.
The AAC condemned the reported abduction of over scores of pupils during attacks on schools in the Oriire area, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota Community Grammar School, Esiele, and L.A. Primary School.
“The kidnapping of over 35 pupils in Orire Local Government of Oyo State, where several schools were reportedly raided by terrorists including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota Community Grammar School, Esiele and L.A. Primary School, resulting in the death of two people, is a tragic development,” the party said.
The party further stated that the incident marked an unprecedented security crisis in the state.
“This is the first time Oyo State will witness such a mass kidnapping involving school pupils, we have not had it bad like this in Oyo state since creation,” it said.
The AAC also condoled with the families of the victims, including the slain Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, and a motorcycle rider reportedly killed during the attack.
“We call on security agencies to act swiftly and rescue the kidnapped pupils. To the families of the pupils and teachers, we share your pain, our condolences goes to the family of Mr. Joel Adesiyan, the Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, who lost his life while trying to protect the pupils, and also to the innocent motorcycle rider who died during the incident,” the statement added.
The abduction occurred on Friday when gunmen invaded schools in Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area, killing a teacher and abducting an unspecified number of pupils, teachers and school workers.
The attack threw the affected communities into panic, with residents fleeing the area over fears of further attacks. 
Following the incident, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board ordered the temporary closure of schools in Oriire, Oyo East, Surulere and Olorunsogo local government areas, while security operatives launched rescue operations.
Governor Makinde also confirmed that seven teachers were abducted, while the exact number of pupils kidnapped was still being verified.
The government said security agencies had arrested suspected informants linked to the attack and intensified efforts to rescue the victims. 
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