One of the teachers abducted during the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has been killed by suspected bandits.
The victim, identified as Michael Oyedokun, a teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, was reportedly beheaded in a disturbing video allegedly released by the kidnappers on Sunday.
The video, which surfaced on Telegram and has since circulated online, showed the teacher tied up and forced to speak before he was killed, raising fresh fears over the safety of the remaining abductees.
The incident has plunged the Ahoro-Esinele community into mourning, with residents and relatives of the victims calling on security agencies and the state government to intensify rescue operations.
Confirming the development, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, special adviser on media to Governor Seyi Makinde, said the governor had extended condolences to the victim’s family and assured residents that both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies were being deployed to secure the release of those still in captivity.
According to him, security operatives have arrested about six suspects linked to the abduction, while three additional persons of interest were also apprehended by another security outfit in the state.
Olanrewaju added that some members of the rescue team, including soldiers, operatives of the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes, lost their lives after encountering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the abductors during rescue operations.
He, however, noted that injured security personnel are responding to treatment and assured that the government would cover their medical care.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he said.
Governor Makinde had earlier disclosed that the attackers were believed to be armed groups fleeing intensified military operations against terrorists and bandits in the North-West.
The attack occurred on Friday when gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School in Ogbomoso, all within Oriire LGA.
Several pupils, teachers, and school officials were abducted during the coordinated assault, while an Islamic Studies teacher and a motorcyclist were earlier confirmed dead.
The Oyo State Government had also stated that the kidnappers were being tracked within the Old Oyo National Park axis, where security operatives have intensified surveillance and rescue efforts.
