(Armedmen Attacks. Photo Credit: BBC)
Shock and anger have swept through the Ahoro-Esinele community in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area after armed men attacked two schools, killing a teacher and kidnapping a number of pupils in a devastating assault that has left families and residents in deep grief.
The attackers struck LA School and Community Grammar School, both in Ahoro-Esinele, on Friday morning, sending pupils and teachers scrambling in panic as violence erupted on the school grounds.
The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) confirmed the incident, calling it a deeply painful moment for education in the state.
The Board’s Executive Chairman, Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of the teacher and the abduction of the pupils, describing the attack as senseless and extending condolences to affected families, staff, and the wider community.
He paid tribute to the slain teacher, honoring his dedication and sacrifice to the education profession.
Adeniran noted that the exact number of abducted pupils had not yet been confirmed, as security forces were still conducting search-and-rescue operations across the affected area.
He assured the public that the Commissioner of Police was directly coordinating the response, with a tactical team deployed and intelligence operations underway to locate and free the kidnapped children.
In a precautionary move, the Board ordered the immediate closure and evacuation of primary schools in surrounding communities, including Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire, and Olorunsogo, to prevent any further attacks and allow security agencies to fully stabilize the situation.
Adeniran appealed for calm, urging parents and residents not to give in to panic, and assured them that the government would not relent until every abducted child was safely returned.
He also cautioned the public against spreading unverified information that could heighten tension and cause further confusion.
