Teachers in public schools across Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Monday staged a peaceful protest following the abduction of teachers and pupils and the killing of at least one staff member during a recent armed attack on schools in the area.
The demonstrators, who gathered early in the day, called on the government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesting teachers expressed grief and anger over the incident.
Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: “Their deaths demand action,” “Say their names, remember their sacrifice,” and “Noble teachers gone too soon.”
The protest came in the aftermath of Friday’s attack, when armed men on motorcycles reportedly invaded communities along the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis in Oriire, Ogbomoso, targeting multiple schools.
The affected institutions include Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
During the attack, an assistant headmaster identified as Joel Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist were killed, while several teachers and pupils were abducted.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that seven teachers were taken during the assault, noting that the total number of missing pupils was still being verified.
He also disclosed that the state government had received a video showing one of the abducted teachers being killed. “We got a video this morning confirming that one of the teachers, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he said.
The Oyo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, said it had begun an investigation into a viral video allegedly showing abductees pleading for help, stressing that efforts were ongoing to establish its authenticity and rescue victims.
Meanwhile, protesting teachers insisted that the tragedy must serve as a turning point in addressing insecurity in schools. One of the demonstrators said, “We are tired of condolences. We want action that will bring our colleagues and children back alive.”
