- There was panic in Ahoro-Esinele community of Oyo State after gunmen invaded a secondary school and abducted the principal alongside several students.
- Police authorities confirmed the attack and said rescue operations were already underway.
Residents of Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were thrown into panic on Friday after armed men invaded a secondary school and abducted its principal alongside several students.
The incident reportedly occurred at Community High School during morning academic activities, causing chaos among students, teachers, and residents of the rural community.
According to security sources, the attack happened between 8am and 9am when the gunmen forcefully entered the school premises and began shooting sporadically before whisking away their victims.
The abducted principal was identified as Mrs. Rachael Alamu, while authorities disclosed that the exact number of students kidnapped was still being verified.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, stating that security operatives had already launched a rescue operation to secure the victims’ release.
Police findings also revealed that one teacher sustained gunshot injuries during the invasion, although the severity of the injury had not yet been officially confirmed.
Residents of the area claimed the attackers operated for several minutes without interruption before escaping through a nearby forest route.
Sources within the community further alleged that the gunmen fled with the principal’s vehicle, reportedly using it to transport the victims out of the area.
The latest attack has heightened fears among parents and residents, many of whom expressed concerns over the growing insecurity affecting schools in rural communities across the country.
Some residents also lamented the slow emergency response, blaming it on inadequate security presence and the long distance between the community and the nearest police station.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State reportedly ordered the deployment of tactical teams, patrol units, and intelligence officers to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been made, and authorities had yet to confirm whether the abductors had contacted families or demanded ransom.
