Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Sunday visited Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, at his private residence in Ibadan to sympathise with the government and people of the state over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Yawota and Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
Mohammed, who was accompanied by leaders of the Allied People’s Movement, including the party’s National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, and its Bauchi State governorship candidate, Yakubu Adamu, called for a rejig of the nation’s security architecture to better protect citizens.
The governor also commended Makinde’s efforts to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils, expressing optimism that they would regain their freedom soon.
Speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting with Makinde, Mohammed said the visit was aimed at identifying with Oyo State over the tragic incident.
“I am here with our leaders from the Allied People’s Movement to commiserate with our presidential candidate and the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, about the travails that the people and government of Oyo State are going through as a result of the abduction of our school children and their teachers.
“It has been a lingering issue for some time, and we are really sharing with him the grief. We are here to encourage him that what he is doing to ensure their release is being noticed by the whole nation,” he said.
Mohammed added that he was in Ibadan on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to express solidarity with Oyo State and encourage ongoing efforts to rescue the victims.
“And we join, on behalf of myself, the government and people of Bauchi State, to commiserate with him, and to encourage him, to ensure that these Nigerians are released,” he added.
The visit comes amid growing concern over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted during attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
Security agencies have intensified efforts to secure the release of the victims, while political leaders, civil society groups and concerned citizens continue to call for urgent action to address insecurity across the country.