Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has appealed for calm and unity in ongoing efforts to rescue abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso.
CityNews reports that Makinde spoke on Tuesday in Ibadan while addressing protesters who staged a solidarity rally for the victims.
The protesters included members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other stakeholders.
The NUT, NANS and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools had staged protests demanding the immediate rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The demonstrations came amid an ongoing strike by teachers in Oyo State following a directive by the NUT national body over the continued captivity of the victims.
Addressing the protesters at the Government House, Ibadan, Makinde appealed for restraint.
He said all levels of government were working to secure the release of the victims.
Makinde said, “It’s not the time for us to say, well, it is the president that should have handled this, it is the governor or the local government. This is a time to pull together as one.
“We’re not dealing with normal human beings. We’re dealing with people… just think briefly, how will somebody take a fellow human being and slaughter him? Is that somebody that is normal? So these are not normal people.”
Makinde appealed to students, teachers and workers to remain patient and trust the government’s efforts.
He further stated, “I can only appeal to you, for the students, the workers, the teachers, I can appeal to you to please have trust in your government.
“We’re doing our best. I’ve heard from the federal government security operatives who have been here for the past two weeks. They spent Sallah here.
“I’ve been meeting with them morning, night, and sometimes three, four times in a day.”
The governor warned against actions or comments that could divide the people or distract from the rescue operation.
He added, “We shouldn’t provide oxygen to the people that want to see us divided. The response at this time should be to pull together, allow the government to see this through.
“I can give you the assurance that our children and their teachers will be rescued.”
