By Ismail Adelodun

Fresh outrage has erupted across Nigeria following the abduction of students and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, after a viral video reportedly showed the killing of one of the abducted teachers by suspected bandits.

The attack, which occurred on Friday, May 16, saw heavily armed assailants invade Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso, abducting about 30 students and teachers while killing two persons during the operation. The slain teacher was later identified as Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher.

The disturbing development triggered widespread condemnation from political leaders, traditional rulers, religious bodies, civil society organisations, and residents, with many demanding urgent intervention from both the Federal and Oyo State governments to secure the release of the victims. Schools in parts of Oriire Local Government were deserted on Monday as teachers staged peaceful protests, calling for immediate action from security agencies.

Governor Seyi Makinde, while addressing journalists on Monday, confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He disclosed that one person was killed during the attack and assured residents that the government was doing everything possible to rescue the victims safely.

Makinde said the state government remained open to dialogue if it would facilitate the safe release of the abducted teachers and students. According to him, security agencies had intensified rescue efforts, while certain operational details were being withheld due to the sensitive nature of the operation. He urged residents to provide timely information to security operatives, stressing that the government would not surrender to terrorism.

Reacting to the incident, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the attack as barbaric and vowed that the perpetrators and their collaborators would be brought to justice. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the Inspector-General of Police had commenced a technology-driven rescue operation involving tactical units and the Intelligence Response Team. Tinubu also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to accelerate legislation on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Fred Emuobo, has relocated the zonal operational headquarters to Ogbomoso to personally coordinate rescue operations. The Oyo State Police Command also confirmed the arrest of six suspects allegedly linked to the attack. According to police authorities, the suspects are believed to be informants who reportedly communicated with the abductors and assisted them with navigation routes through forest areas.

Traditional rulers and religious leaders also condemned the attack in strong terms. The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described the incident as heartbreaking and unacceptable, warning that attacks on schools represent a direct assault on the future of the nation. Similarly, the Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, called on the Federal Government to empower traditional rulers with security logistics and funding to strengthen grassroots security architecture across Yorubaland.

The Christian Association of Nigeria also condemned the abduction, describing it as a national disgrace and evidence of worsening insecurity in the country. CAN lamented that schools had become targets of organised criminal violence and urged the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Oyo State Government to deploy every available resource to rescue the abducted victims unconditionally.

As tension continues to rise across Oyo State, Governor Makinde disclosed that surveillance aircraft procured by the state government for border monitoring and intelligence gathering would become operational before the end of June. He explained that the aircraft, currently undergoing installation at the Nigerian Air Force base in Lagos, were part of proactive efforts to strengthen security along the Oyo-Kwara and Oyo-Republic of Benin borders.

The governor reassured residents that his administration remained committed to restoring normalcy and securing the safe return of all abducted students and teachers, insisting that Oyo State would not bow to criminal intimidation.