Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has said he is willing to sacrifice himself if that would ensure the rescue of school children and teachers kidnapped by armed men in the state.
Makinde spoke on Tuesday while addressing protesters led by activist and social media influencer VeryDarkMan (VDM), real name Martins Otse, at the Oyo state government house in Ibadan.
Hundreds of protesters marched through major roads in the Oyo capital before converging on the government house to demand the urgent rescue of the abductees, who marked one month in the den of the kindpappers on Monday.
Makinde stated that security agencies have continued efforts to secure the victims’ release, adding that personnel involved in the operation had suffered casualties.
“Oyo state is not Chibok and it will not be Chibok. We have lost men, soldiers on this. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago,” he said.
“If you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out, I will do it. I have lived a good life. I am almost 60. It doesn’t matter. My own father died at 76.
“This is Oyo state. They know that this is not Chibok and our children will never be in the same situation as Chibok children.
“We are doing everything possible, including what you suggested. But there is the potential for needless loss of lives. We have lost a teacher already.
“If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more. But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it.”
