One of the teachers abducted during the attack on Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Michael Oyedokun, has reportedly been killed by his captors.
Oyedokun, said to be a Mathematics teacher, was allegedly beheaded in a disturbing video said to have been released by the abductors on Sunday.
The incident has heightened anxiety over the fate of other victims still being held captive, while throwing the affected community into mourning.
Residents, relatives of the abducted victims and concerned stakeholders have intensified calls on security agencies and the Oyo State Government to strengthen efforts toward rescuing those still in captivity.
Confirming the development, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, said the governor expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and reassured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims.
According to him, the government is deploying both military and non-military strategies in its rescue operations.
He said, “There may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly.”
Olanrewaju disclosed that seven teachers were initially abducted during the attack, noting that the government received confirmation of Oyedokun’s death through a video circulated on Monday morning.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted.
Unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, the Mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he said.
The governor’s aide also revealed that security agencies had recorded progress in the ongoing investigation, with several suspects already arrested in connection with the incident.
“From the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them, we believe, are informants or people providing logistics for the terrorists,” he said.
He further stated that three additional suspects had been apprehended by another security outfit operating within the state.
Olanrewaju also sympathised with the families of security operatives, including soldiers, operatives of the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes, who reportedly lost their lives during rescue efforts.
According to him, the operatives encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the abductors during the operation.
He added that injured security personnel were responding positively to treatment, assuring that the government would provide adequate medical care for them.
The governor’s aide appealed to families of the abducted victims, religious leaders and members of the public to remain patient as efforts continue to ensure the victims are safely reunited with their loved ones.
The abduction occurred on Friday, May 15, when armed men reportedly stormed Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, abducting the school principal, teachers and several students.
The incident has renewed concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Oyo State, coming weeks after a failed kidnap attempt along the Ibadan-Ijebu road reportedly claimed one life.
