KEY POINTS
- DIG Adegoke Fayoade says abducted Oyo pupils and teachers will soon regain freedom.
- He insists agencies are focused on rescue and do not discuss ransom.
- He says the recruitment of 40,000 police personnel has begun, alongside tech upgrades.
The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, has assured Nigerians that ongoing efforts by security agencies and government authorities will soon secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State. He gave the assurance on Monday during an official visit to the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja.
Rescue, not ransom
Speaking on the abduction, Fayoade said agencies remain focused on freeing the victims rather than discussing ransom. “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,” he said.
Moreover, he played down reports that the abductors had shifted from demanding the release of their leaders to seeking ransom and the release of foot soldiers. According to Fayoade, the police know nothing of such developments. “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.
Furthermore, he explained that the visit aimed to strengthen supervision across South-West commands and engage officers on emerging threats. He noted that manpower shortages, welfare and logistics featured prominently in the discussions.
A push for tech-driven policing
In addition, Fayoade said plans to boost manpower had advanced, as the recruitment of 40,000 personnel has begun. He added that the Inspector-General prioritizes welfare and operational tools to motivate officers. Notably, he said the Force is investing heavily in technology, including a data centre at the Force headquarters that will give security agencies access to records on individuals with criminal histories.
Consequently, he said the police would soon deploy artificial intelligence for investigations and intelligence gathering, with officers due to attend dedicated training. According to him, technology will help predict incidents, allocate resources and prevent crimes before they occur.
Earlier, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, described the visit as a homecoming and presented the command’s scorecard since March 26, 2026. He said officers foiled 28 armed robbery incidents, arrested 71 robbery suspects and 133 cultism suspects, and recovered 60 firearms and 625 rounds of ammunition. However, he disclosed that seven personnel died in the line of duty and 300 others sustained injuries. Ultimately, both officers pledged to sustain intelligence-led operations and keep Lagos among the safest states in the country.