The Oyo State Police Command has launched a massive manhunt following the abduction of pupils, students and school staff by armed hoodlums who attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, reportedly targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, as well as Community Grammar School and L.A Primary School in Esiele community.
According to the police, the gunmen, who operated on motorcycles, carried out coordinated attacks on the schools and nearby communities, abducting an unspecified number of pupils, students and staff, including the Vice Principal, Mrs. Alamu Folawe.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said no pupil or student had been confirmed dead as of the time of filing the report.
He said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the assailants, who operated on motorcycles, simultaneously attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota as well as Community Grammar School/L.A Primary School, Esiele, abducting some pupils, students and staff members including the Vice Principal, Mrs. Alamu Folawe.”
The police, however, confirmed that an Assistant Headmaster identified simply as Mr. Adesiyan was killed during the attack.
“Sadly, one Assistant Headmaster identified as Mr. Adesiyan was killed during the attack,” Olayinka stated.
In a related development, an okada rider was also reportedly shot dead after resisting attempts by the attackers to seize his motorcycle.
The police further disclosed that the attackers carted away a Toyota Corolla belonging to the abducted Vice Principal before setting the vehicle ablaze along a forest route.
“The attackers, after abducting some victims, 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,” the statement added.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reportedly led security operatives and other service commanders to the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment and operational coordination.
The police spokesperson said tactical teams, operational assets and intelligence platforms had been deployed to restore calm, rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
The command assured residents that intensive operations were ongoing and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information to support rescue efforts.
“The Command assures residents that intensive operations are ongoing and urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and supportive by providing timely and credible information that could aid the investigation and rescue efforts,” Olayinka said.
