Last Friday, the serenity, tranquillity and peace of some communities in Oriire local government area of Oyo State were shattered by the invading horde of bandits who brought their bloodthirsty barbarism, which has characterised their campaign of violence in other parts of the country, to the sleepy agrarian town unleashing mayhem and terror on its hapless inhabitants.
This time around the marauding bandits did not limit their onslaught to the destruction of properties and pillaging of resources of unarmed and defenceless locals, they extended their violence to sacred citadels of learning, where knowledge is imparted and citizens are moulded into visionary and forward-thinking characters, and dehumanised those who make the place what it is.
At least three schools in the local government were attacked during the invasion of the town. The schools are Community High School, Ahoro-Ẹ̀sínẹ̀lẹ̀, L.A. Basic School, Ahoro-Ẹ̀sínẹ̀lẹ̀, and First Baptist Church Nursery and Primary School, Yáwọ́ta. The attack, which happened some weeks after a failed kidnap attempt that left one traveller dead along the Ibadan-Ijebu road, has renewed concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State and across Nigeria.
The Community Grammar School, Esiele, operates within the same premises as LA Primary School, Esiele. It is gathered that after abducting some victims the assailants also took away a Toyota Corolla vehicle belonging to the abducted Vice Principal and later set the vehicle ablaze along the road leading to the forest.
During the attack, the terrorists killed a teacher and abducted the school principal, two vice principals, three teachers, and scores of students. According to community sources, a total of seven teachers and 39 students are currently unaccounted for, bringing the total number of missing or abducted persons to 46. Residents further disclosed that the gunmen carted away three motorcycles from the Yawota community and another motorcycle from the community high school.
According to the police in Oyo state, “Sadly, one Assistant Headmaster, identified as Mr Adesiyan, was killed during the attack. In a related development, an okada rider who reportedly resisted attempts by the attackers to forcefully take his motorcycle was also shot dead,” the command said.
An emotional and passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Makinde
On Sunday morning, a video showing the abducted principal and teacher of the school was posted on social media. In the video, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Alamu F.O, disclosed that the attack happened at about 9:30 am on Friday.
“We have been here since Friday. I’m making this video to ask for help from everyone, starting from the federal government, Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, Christian Association of Nigeria, and all well-meaning Nigerians,” she pleaded, “Come to our help and settle this thing peacefully so that our lives will not be lost.”
Another video showed a woman with a baby, who identified herself as Temitope, a worker at First Baptist Church, Yawota. She cried for help, saying, “Please help us. We need help. Tinubu, please help us. Our governor, Seyi Makinde, please help us. The children are here crying. Please help us so that we won’t waste our lives.”
The horror of the beheading of a math teacher
A day after the video of the principal and the woman appealing to the government to come to their aid, one of the abducted teachers was gruesomely murdered.
The slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the bandits. The viral inhumane video of his gruesome murder, which was released by the terrorists on Sunday, May 17, 2026, has sparked outrage and raised fresh concerns over the safety of the remaining victims.
The latest development has thrown the community into mourning as residents, families of the victims and natives continue to call on security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue operations to secure the release of those still in captivity before being killed.
Oyo governor Seyi Makinde speaks
The governor, while speaking during a press briefing held at his private residence in Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan confirmed the abduction of the teachers and beheading of Oyedokun.
Makinde also disclosed that two operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, sustained injuries during the attack and are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The governor further revealed that six members of the affected community suspected of having links with the attack had been arrested and were undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations.
In a different statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the state government law enforcement agents have successfully surrounded the area, restricting the suspects’ movements and preventing possible entry into Kwara State or neighbouring locations.
He disclosed that security operatives have blocked escape routes around the National Park area and contained the attackers within the forest axis.
The statement revealed that the state Commissioner of Police has coordinated with the Kwara commissioner of police and both commands have agreed to strengthen surveillance and ensure any suspect attempting to cross state boundaries would be apprehended. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to securing the release of all abducted victims and restoring normalcy to the affected communities.
The state deputy governor, Adebayo Lawal, on Sunday, led a government delegation on a condolence visit to communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
What are the police saying
The Oyo State Police Command said it has received the video currently circulating across various media platforms in relation to the recent abduction incident within the state.
In a statement, the command said the footage is presently undergoing a comprehensive forensic examination to determine its authenticity and further aid ongoing investigations, rescue operations, and the identification and arrest of the perpetrators behind the heinous act.
Following the commencement of these investigative procedures, the command reassured residents of its unwavering commitment towards ensuring the safe return and reunification of all abducted persons with their families. It said intensive operational, intelligence-driven, and tactical efforts in collaboration with other security agencies are ongoing to secure the victims unharmed and bring all those responsible to justice.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, immediately led operatives alongside other service commanders to the scene for on-the-spot assessment and operational coordination, while simultaneously directing a comprehensive manhunt for the perpetrators.
