JUST IN: South-West DIG Gives Fresh Update on Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, has assured Nigerians that security agencies are making significant progress in efforts to secure the release of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State.

Fayoade gave the assurance on Monday during an official working visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where he addressed journalists and senior police officers on ongoing security operations across the South-West region.

Speaking on the abduction, the senior police officer said security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the victims and expressed optimism that they would soon regain their freedom.

According to him, all relevant security and government agencies have intensified rescue efforts and are coordinating strategies aimed at bringing the ordeal to an end.

“The update is that all agencies, including government, are working very hard. I can assure you that within the shortest possible time, the children and their teachers will be free,” Fayoade stated.

His comments come amid increasing public concern over the fate of the abducted pupils and their teachers, with families, community leaders and civil society groups calling for urgent action to secure their release.

The DIG dismissed reports suggesting that the kidnappers had altered their demands or were seeking negotiations involving ransom payments and the release of certain individuals.

He maintained that the police remain focused solely on rescue operations and are not engaging in discussions regarding ransom.

“We don’t know anything about ransom because we don’t talk about ransom. All efforts are directed towards getting the abductees free from captivity,” he said.

Fayoade explained that his visit to Lagos formed part of a broader oversight mission aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness across police commands within the South-West zone.

According to him, the exercise is designed to improve supervision, enhance coordination and identify new approaches to tackling emerging security threats.

“It is a working visit to strengthen supervision and engage our officers and men in discussions on effective ways to tackle the evolving security challenges facing the country,” he noted.

The DIG identified inadequate manpower, personnel welfare and operational logistics as some of the major challenges confronting the police force nationwide.

To address these issues, he disclosed that the Force is expanding its workforce through the recruitment of 40,000 additional personnel.

He added that improving the welfare of officers remains one of the top priorities of the Inspector-General of Police, stressing that better working conditions would enhance professionalism and efficiency within the Force.

“Another area of importance is the welfare of our men, which remains a top priority for the Inspector-General of Police,” he said.

Fayoade also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise policing through the deployment of advanced technology and intelligence-driven systems.

According to him, the police are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, including the establishment of a centralised data centre at the Force Headquarters.

“The Inspector-General is passionate about technology. We are working to complete a data centre at the Force Headquarters that will allow security agencies to access information on individuals with criminal records.

“It will also help us deploy resources more effectively. At the same time, we are working on the use of Artificial Intelligence for investigations and intelligence gathering,” he explained.

The DIG noted that many successful police operations across the country have been driven by intelligence-led policing and improved technical capabilities.

He acknowledged that some of the Force’s achievements often go unnoticed by the public and directed commands to improve communication regarding operational successes.

“Many of our activities are underreported. Policing is a 24-hour job and our officers are making arrests and recording successes daily. It may not be enough yet, but I assure you we will improve tremendously,” he said.

As part of efforts to strengthen public confidence, Fayoade instructed the Lagos State Police Command to ensure that arrests, crime prevention successes and other achievements are regularly communicated to the public.

“I have instructed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that every achievement is reported so members of the public can see the efforts being made.

“Even when we arrest an ordinary housebreaker, the public should know. If our reporting has not been sufficient, we will improve on it,” he added.

He further emphasised that the future of policing lies in technology-driven strategies capable of predicting criminal activities, improving intelligence gathering and ensuring more effective deployment of resources.

“Technology will help us predict incidents, allocate resources more effectively and prevent crimes before they occur.

“Very soon, our officers will begin attending courses on the use of AI in investigations and intelligence gathering. We are becoming technology-driven and moving rapidly in that direction,” he stated.

Fayoade also called for stronger cooperation between law enforcement officers and members of the public, stressing that mutual respect remains essential to effective policing.

“Our officers will carry out their duties with respect, dignity and regard for citizens’ rights. We also expect members of the public to reciprocate that respect as officers discharge their responsibilities professionally,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, welcomed the DIG and described the visit as an important opportunity for officers and men of the command to benefit from his leadership experience.

“Your visit today is indeed a homecoming. It is a privilege to have our amiable DIG with us to share his wealth of experience, knowledge and guidance with officers and men of the command,” Fatai said.

The commissioner disclosed that the Lagos State Police Command has continued to expand in response to the state’s growing population and security needs.

According to him, the command currently comprises 14 Area Commands, 117 divisions, 74 police posts and more than 25,000 personnel.

Fatai also presented the command’s operational achievements since assuming office on March 26, 2026.

He revealed that police operatives successfully foiled 28 armed robbery incidents, arrested 71 robbery suspects and apprehended 133 suspected cultists.

The commissioner further disclosed that 44 murder cases were reported during the period, leading to the arrest of 35 suspects.

In addition, four suspects linked to traffic robbery offences were arrested and prosecuted.

He added that officers recovered 60 firearms and 625 rounds of ammunition during various operations.

On traffic enforcement, Fatai said 122 vehicles were impounded for driving against traffic regulations, while 1,580 motorcycles were seized for offences including illegal use of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors.

Despite these successes, the commissioner lamented the loss of seven police officers who died in the line of duty, while about 300 others sustained varying degrees of injury during operations.

A minute of silence was observed in honour of the fallen officers.

Fatai reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, assuring residents that efforts to combat crime and improve public safety would continue.

“By the grace of God, the Lagos State Police Command remains at the forefront of crime prevention and control. Our officers and men are more determined than ever to sustain the momentum and keep the flag flying,” he said.

The latest assurance from police authorities is expected to provide some comfort to the families of the abducted pupils and teachers, as security agencies continue efforts to secure their safe return.