Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that he is prepared to make any sacrifice, including risking his own life, to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area.

Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday while receiving a group of peaceful protesters led by activist and social commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan.

The governor assured residents that his administration was deploying every available resource to ensure the safe return of the victims, stressing that ongoing security operations were being carefully coordinated to avoid further casualties.

According to him, intelligence reports indicate that no additional casualties have been recorded among the abductees since the reported killing of a Mathematics teacher shortly after the incident.

“We will do everything humanly possible to bring our children back. I am not someone who leads from the back,” Makinde said.

While declining to disclose details of the rescue efforts for security reasons, the governor said the state government was exploring all lawful options to secure the victims’ freedom.

“We have already lost a teacher, and if we can avoid losing more people, we will do so. But if we get to a point where certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it,” he added.

Makinde commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and noted that public advocacy often helps to draw attention to critical issues. He also highlighted the limitations faced by state governments in security operations, explaining that governors do not exercise direct operational control over federal security agencies.

The governor pointed to the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, as part of efforts to strengthen local security and complement conventional security agencies.