Oyo School Abduction: IGP Deploys DIGs, Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Unregistered Vehicles

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu

Oyo School Abduction: IGP Deploys DIGs, Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Unregistered Vehicles

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Police, working in collaboration with other security agencies, will do everything within their power to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State. The IGP also ordered the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to strengthen ongoing rescue operations aimed at securing the release of the victims. Disu disclosed this during a conference with senior police officers in Abuja on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. He also directed the immediate nationwide enforcement against vehicles operating without registration number plates, as well as those with concealed, defaced, or altered number plates. According to him, the Police would no longer tolerate such practices, noting that unregistered or disguised vehicles are frequently used by kidnappers, terrorists, and other criminal groups to evade detection and arrest. “From this moment, enforcement will be strict and uniform. There will be no preferential treatment,” he said. While noting that significant progress had been made in efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers, the IGP said the full operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, in coordination with other security agencies, had been deployed to secure their safe return. “We are making progress and will not relent until every hostage is brought home safely,” he said. Disu further stated that the deployment of DIGs, which takes effect from June 15, 2026, is aimed at improving supervision, operational coordination, and accountability across police formations nationwide. He explained that the reform is intended to bring strategic leadership closer to field operations and enhance rapid response to emerging security threats.

The abduction incident occurred in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State in the early hours of Friday, May 15, 2026. Armed men attacked schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele communities, resulting in the abduction of 39 pupils and students as well as seven teachers. The attack targeted three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. During the attack, a mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded. A motorcyclist was also killed, and a security operative died after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during early rescue attempts. The Oriire LGA communities sit on the fringes of a forested belt that the abductors have exploited for cover since the attack. A total of 46 people — comprising students, pupils, and teachers — remain in captivity.

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On May 16, 2026, the IGP visited Oyo State following the abduction incident. He was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, owing to the strategic proximity of the Oriire axis to communities bordering Kwara State, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle. During the visit, the Inspector-General met with the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, alongside other security stakeholders, where he received operational briefings on ongoing rescue efforts and security deployments across the affected communities. He directed the deployment of additional tactical and intelligence assets to strengthen ongoing operations in the area and adjoining forests. The IGP assured residents, parents, and guardians that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified coordinated search-and-rescue operations, intelligence gathering, and tactical deployments aimed at securing the safe return of all abducted victims.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised security unit to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers. The directive was announced during a visit by a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities on May 31, 2026. The delegation, led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, conveyed Tinubu’s concern over the incident and reassured residents of the government’s commitment to securing the safe return of the victims. According to the delegation, the President approved the recruitment of the forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government as part of measures to strengthen security in the area. Tinubu also directed a specialised rescue team with advanced operational capabilities to support ongoing efforts aimed at freeing the abducted pupils and teachers. The delegation included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and Presidential Media Adviser Sunday Dare. Addressing residents, Gbajabiamila said the President was deeply troubled by the abduction and had ordered the deployment of all necessary resources to ensure the victims’ safe return. “Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he said, assuring the communities that the rescue operation would be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated. Gbajabiamila also addressed appeals from parents and community members urging caution in the rescue operation, explaining, “Mr President also saw the appeals from some parents and community members urging caution in the rescue efforts. Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims.” The delegation also visited the widow of the slain teacher, Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, and her two children, where Gbajabiamila delivered the President’s personal condolences to the family and promised that they would not be left to suffer. Community leaders had also requested the establishment of a military base in the area, and the delegation said the request would be forwarded to the President for consideration.

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed a surveillance aircraft to support efforts to rescue the abducted teachers and pupils. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed the deployment during a visit by senior Nigerian Air Force officials, according to a statement issued by the Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame. Makinde said the Air Force responded quickly after the incident was reported. “The NAF promptly deployed an aerial surveillance platform immediately after the abduction was reported, providing critical intelligence to support search-and-rescue operations,” the governor said. He added that “intelligence generated from the surveillance missions has continued to assist security agencies in tracking developments and coordinating efforts towards securing the safe release of the victims.” The governor praised the military for its support, noting that the aircraft was deployed while Oyo State’s newly acquired aerial assets, two Diamond-42 aircraft, were still being assembled at the NAF Base in Lagos. He urged residents to remain patient and cooperate with security agencies, assuring them that all necessary resources are being deployed to secure the victims’ release. Governor Makinde also emphasized that patience was required to successfully carry out the operation, noting that his government bought the aircraft proactively to ease the burden on overstretched security forces.

In a significant move to curb the activities of criminals who exploit unregistered vehicles, the IGP has mandated an immediate enforcement initiative targeting vehicles operating without registration plates or those with concealed, altered, or defaced number plates. The IGP stated: “Let me now address the growing disturbing trend that has several implications for public safety and national security across several parts of the country. We have observed an increasing number of vehicles being driven without registration number as well as vehicles whose number plates are deliberately concealed, defaced, covered, or altered in an attempt to evade identification.” “This practice is unlawful, irresponsible, and unacceptable and so, I wish to state unequivocally that from today, the Nigerian Police Force will no longer tolerate such acts of impunity. Every vehicle operating on our roads must be properly registered and must display its approved registration number in accordance with the law,” he said. The IGP noted that vehicle registration was not merely an administrative requirement but a critical component of crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and national security, as criminals, kidnappers, terrorists, and other offenders often exploit unregistered vehicles to perpetrate crimes and evade detection. “All CPs, Tactical Commanders, and heads of formation are therefore directed to immediately intensify enforcement operations against unregistered vehicles, and those with concealed registration numbers. There shall be no preferential treatment or selective enforcement. The law must be applied equally to all, and anyone who chooses to disregard this directive will face the full consequences of the law,” Disu said.

Presenting the Force’s operational achievements since its last strategic meeting on May 5, 2026, the IGP said: “Since our last conference on May 5, 2026, the Force has arrested eight suspected terrorists, 29 murder and culpable homicide suspects, 65 armed robbery suspects, 55 kidnapping suspects, and 42 suspected cultists.” “Our operations also led to the rescue of 88 kidnapping victims. In addition, 114 assorted firearms and 843 rounds of ammunition were recovered, while 28 stolen vehicles were also recovered,” he added. The IGP cited a recent operation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , where intelligence reports revealed that five suspected kidnappers were heading to Abuja to carry out criminal activities. “Through coordinated intelligence and operational deployment, the suspects were intercepted and arrested before they could execute their plans. This demonstrates the importance of proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations in preventing crime before it occurs,” he said. He described the achievements as evidence of improved intelligence gathering and proactive policing strategies.

To further strengthen security, the IGP directed Commissioners of Police to establish coordinated “Handshake Patrols” between neighbouring states to prevent criminals from exploiting jurisdictional boundaries. He also ordered enhanced surveillance along major entry and exit routes nationwide, improved intelligence sharing, and joint operational responses where necessary. “Criminals do not respect state boundaries. Our response must be equally seamless,” he said. The IGP urged officers to deepen collaboration with communities and strengthen intelligence gathering through public trust and engagement. He also called for proactive communication with the media to counter misinformation and ensure accurate reporting of police operations. He commended officers and men of the Force for their dedication and urged them to intensify efforts to rid the country of criminal elements.