During an interview on Channels Television on Monday, July 13, 2026, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District, explained how the military’s deployment around key routes helped prevent the kidnappers from escaping with the abducted victims.
Buhari said the forest where the victims were held is vast and has several exit points. However, he noted that security forces strategically positioned personnel along major access routes and surrounding communities, making it difficult for the kidnappers to move the victims out of the area or cross into neighboring Niger State.
According to him, “Let me tell you what makes this thing easier for us. I’m not military. I’m just telling you as a representative of that area. The road in that area, the forest is very, very big, and the outing is four. Fortunately for us, there is a road in between the forests—we call the place Igbopke—that goes to Igboho and Igbeti.
So the military people were there; that’s to the north. To the west, we have a town called Sepeteri. These are the places they can go out to; the military was there. Back to Igbeti, the third town, and then from the south, where they attack from, which is Esinele, the military was there. So they couldn’t cross to the Niger side of the state. That is one of the first successes the military has done. That’s why I said I’m so happy with them.”
Buhari commended the military for the operation, saying the strategic blockade of the forest’s exit routes was one of the major factors that contributed to the successful rescue of the victims. He added that the security personnel’s coordination prevented the kidnappers from moving into neighboring areas…See More
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