Condemnation and public anger have continued to grow following Friday’s deadly bandit attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where more than 30 students and teachers were abducted and at least two people killed.
The attack, which occurred on May 16, targeted Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. Armed men invaded the communities, kidnapping pupils, students, and school staff.
Public outrage intensified on Monday after a viral video allegedly showed one of the abducted teachers being beheaded by the kidnappers. The victim was identified as Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher.
Nigerians across the country have since demanded urgent action from both the federal and state governments to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Governor Seyi Makinde 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 also confirmed that one person was killed during the attack.
Makinde said the government was willing to engage the abductors if dialogue would help secure the release of the victims.
“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,” the governor said.
He assured residents that security agencies were actively coordinating rescue operations, though some operational details could not yet be disclosed because of the sensitive nature of the mission.
Tinubu Orders Rescue Operation
Reacting to the incident, President Bola Tinubu described the attack as barbaric and expressed sadness over the reported killing of one of the hostages.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President said the Inspector-General of Police had launched a technology-driven rescue operation involving tactical and intelligence units.
Tinubu vowed that the kidnappers and their collaborators would be identified and prosecuted.
“The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The President also renewed calls for the creation of state police, urging the National Assembly to accelerate legislation establishing state policing structures to improve local security responses.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Fred Emuobo, has relocated the command’s operational headquarters to Ogbomoso to oversee rescue efforts.
Police spokesperson Ade Ogunyemi said security agencies were working around the clock to rescue the victims safely.
The Oyo State Police Command also confirmed the arrest of six suspects believed to be linked to the attack. According to police sources, the suspects allegedly acted as informants and were tracked through phone conversations with the kidnappers.
Authorities disclosed that the viral video showing the beheading of a teacher is currently undergoing forensic analysis to verify its authenticity and assist investigations.
Teachers Protest, Schools Deserted
Teachers in several public schools across Oriire Local Government staged peaceful protests on Monday, demanding the immediate rescue of their colleagues and students.
Many schools in the affected communities remained deserted as fear spread among residents.
One teacher said attendance was almost nonexistent due to security concerns.
“We couldn’t even go into the school premises; we stayed at the school gate, fearing any eventuality,” the teacher said.
In separate viral videos released from captivity, abducted school officials and teachers appealed to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, religious bodies, and Nigerians to intervene and secure their release.
One abducted teacher, Dahunsi Temitope Mary, pleaded for urgent help, saying the children were frightened and crying in captivity.
Traditional Rulers, CAN Condemn Attack
The Adeyeye Ogunwusi condemned the attack, describing it as heartbreaking and unacceptable. He called on security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and urged governments to strengthen security around schools and rural communities.
Similarly, Abdulrasheed Akanbi urged President Tinubu to empower traditional rulers with security votes and logistics support to help combat rising insecurity across Yorubaland.
The Christian Association of Nigeria also described the attack as a national disgrace, warning that organised criminal violence was spreading dangerously into the South-West.
CAN said schools should never become targets for armed groups and called for immediate deployment of all available security and intelligence resources to rescue the abducted victims.
Surveillance Aircraft to Boost Security
Governor Makinde disclosed that surveillance aircraft procured by the Oyo State Government for N7.7bn had arrived in Nigeria and would become operational before the end of June.
According to him, the aircraft are part of broader efforts to improve border monitoring between Oyo State, Kwara State, and the Republic of Benin.
Makinde insisted the aircraft were acquired before the current crisis as part of proactive security planning.
“We wanted to improve our security capability and border monitoring,” he said.
The governor reassured residents that his administration remained committed to restoring normalcy and ensuring the safe return of all abducted students and teachers.
