Condemnations continued to pour in on Monday following the deadly bandits’ attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where about 30 students and teachers were abducted and two people killed.
The attack happened on May 16 after armed bandits stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, abducting pupils, students and staff members.
Amid nationwide outrage, Nigerians called on both the state and Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and restore security in the area.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 children and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He also confirmed that one person was killed during the attack after a viral video surfaced online showing one of the abducted teachers being beheaded by the attackers. The victim was identified as Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher.
Makinde said the state government was prepared to engage the abductors if dialogue would help secure the safe release of the victims.
“Now we can confirm conclusively that at the Community Secondary School, about seven students were abducted, while at the First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted, and about seven teachers were also involved. Unfortunately, like I reported yesterday, one of them was killed,” the governor said.
“So, whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen to them and address the ones that we can address as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released.”
He added that security agencies were already coordinating rescue operations, while certain details could not yet be made public because of the sensitivity of the mission.
President Bola Tinubu also reacted to the incident, describing the killing of the teacher as barbaric.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the Inspector General of Police was personally leading a technology-driven rescue operation involving tactical units and the Intelligence Response Team.
“The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” Tinubu said.
The President also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, saying the incident highlighted security gaps in underserved areas.
“The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Fred Emuobo, has relocated the command’s operational base to Ogbomoso to coordinate rescue efforts.
Police spokesperson Ade Ogunyemi confirmed the development, saying security agencies were working together to ensure the victims were rescued alive.
The Oyo State Police Command also confirmed the arrest of six suspects linked to the attack.
Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade said the suspects were assisting investigators, while the viral video showing the killing of the teacher was undergoing forensic examination.
Security sources said some of the arrested suspects were believed to be informants who allegedly communicated with the kidnappers and guided them through routes around the National Park area.
The sources also claimed the bandits planted improvised explosive devices around parts of the area to slow down advancing security operatives.
Teachers in Oriire Local Government staged a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding the immediate rescue of their colleagues and students.
Many schools in the area remained deserted as teachers marched with placards and solidarity songs, calling on the government to strengthen security around schools.
One teacher said fear had gripped the community.
“In my school, only two students came, and one or two teachers were there at the time I left. We couldn’t even go into the school premises; we stayed at the school gate, fearing any eventuality,” the teacher said.
In another viral video, one of the abducted school administrators, Mrs. Alamu of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, pleaded with the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and Nigerians to intervene and secure their release.
Another abducted teacher, Dahunsi Temitope Mary, also appealed for help from the government and Nigerians, saying the kidnapped children were terrified and crying in captivity.
Traditional rulers and religious leaders also condemned the attack.
