Fear Grips Oyo as Bandits Behead Ahoro-Esinele Teacher
Fresh fears over worsening insecurity have gripped residents of Oyo State and South-West Nigeria following the gruesome killing of an abducted teacher in Oyo State.
TheConscience NG reports that Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers kidnapped from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area, was beheaded by his captors over the weekend.
A disturbing video allegedly released by the bandits surfaced on Sunday and began circulating on Telegram and other social media platforms on Monday. In the footage, Oyedokun appeared bound and forced to speak before he was brutally killed.
The shocking development has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the fate and safety of other victims still in captivity.
Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, a public secondary school located in Esinele Ward of Oriire Local Government Area, came under attack after gunmen stormed the school on Friday, May 15, abducting the principal, several teachers, and students.
The incident has thrown the community into mourning, with residents, families of the victims, and indigenes calling on security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue operations and secure the release of those still held captive before more lives are lost.
Reacting to the attack, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari, representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, condemned the incident and appealed for calm.
“I am deeply saddened by the cowardly attack on a school in Ahoro-Esinele community, Oriire Local Government of Oyo State, by the barbaric bandits who have for a while been threatening the peaceful communities around the local government.
“I have been briefed that our security agencies are on the ground, and I have full confidence in their ability to rescue the abducted victims safely. I therefore call on the good people of Oyo North to remain calm,” the senator stated.
The Oyo State Government had earlier ordered the indefinite closure of public primary and secondary schools in affected areas, including Oriire, Surulere, Oyo East, and Olorunsogo Local Government Areas, citing safety concerns.
Confirming the killing of the teacher, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, said in a statement on Monday that the governor extended condolences to the family of the deceased teacher and assured residents that the government was deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to secure the release of the remaining victims.
According to him, about six suspects linked to the kidnapping have already been arrested.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he stated.
Olanrewaju also disclosed that some security operatives lost their lives during rescue operations involving soldiers, operatives of the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes.
According to him, the operatives were killed after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the abductors.
He, however, noted that wounded security personnel were responding positively to treatment and assured that the state government would spare no resources in ensuring they receive adequate medical care.
He appealed to family members of the victims, religious leaders, and other concerned stakeholders to remain patient, promising that the government would continue efforts to reunite the abductees with their families.
“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly,” he added.
Governor Makinde, according to the statement, also confirmed that security agencies had recorded some breakthroughs in the ongoing investigation.
“Well, from the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality.
“Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists.
“Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested by another security outfit within the state,” he stated.
