Fear, confusion as gunmen invade schools in Oriire, shoot teacher dead, kidnap principal, staff and students before fleeing into forest
Residents of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were thrown into panic and confusion on Friday after heavily armed terrorists carried out a coordinated attack on three schools, killing an assistant headmaster, abducting several teachers and pupils, and leaving entire communities in fear.
The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School.
The daring operation reportedly happened in broad daylight around 9am, shortly after pupils resumed school activities and morning assembly had commenced.
According to eyewitnesses and community sources, the terrorists arrived on several motorcycles and immediately began shooting into the air as they stormed the communities.
Residents said the attackers operated without resistance, moving swiftly from one school to another within minutes while terrified teachers and students fled in different directions to save their lives.
Many pupils reportedly escaped into nearby bushes, while others were forcefully taken away by the gunmen during the raid.
Locals described the incident as one of the most terrifying attacks ever witnessed in the area, saying the communities were completely helpless as the armed men unleashed violence across the schools.
A resident who witnessed the attack explained that the gunmen arrived in large numbers and immediately created panic by firing gunshots around the school environment.
According to the source, the situation became chaotic within seconds as teachers abandoned classrooms and students ran for safety.
The resident further explained that the attackers moved rapidly between the schools in a well-organized manner, leaving people with no opportunity to react before the operation was completed.
Assistant Headmaster Shot Dead While Trying To Escape
During the attack, the Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, identified as Joel Adesiyan, was killed by the terrorists.
Witnesses said the educator attempted to escape from the school building through a window after the attackers invaded the premises.
However, he was reportedly spotted and shot dead before he could get away.
His death has thrown the education community in the area into mourning, with colleagues and residents describing him as a dedicated teacher who was committed to the growth of education in the rural community.
Amid the chaos, a commercial motorcyclist also lost his life after unknowingly riding into the scene of the attack.
Residents said the rider was caught in the crossfire during the shooting.
Principal, Teachers And Pupils Abducted
The terrorists also abducted the principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs Rachael Alamu, alongside at least five teachers and several pupils.
Community sources disclosed that the attackers moved from classroom to classroom while forcefully dragging victims away.
A resident narrated that the attack happened so quickly that many teachers and students had little chance to escape before the terrorists seized them.
The source explained that the assistant headmaster was desperately trying to save himself when he was shot, while the principal and several teachers were forcefully taken away.
According to the resident, many pupils were also abducted during the operation, although the exact figure remained unclear as of Friday night.
Residents fear the number of kidnapped pupils could be much higher, especially among students of the secondary school.
Terrorists Use Principal’s Car To Move Victims, Burn Vehicle During Escape
Sources within the community revealed that the attackers used the principal’s vehicle to transport some of the abducted victims out of the area.
However, while attempting to escape through difficult terrain, the vehicle reportedly developed a fault.
A resident explained that because the schools were located close to each other, the terrorists were able to move between them quickly during the operation.
The source further stated that after the vehicle stopped working, the gunmen abandoned it and later set it ablaze before fleeing into the forest with the kidnapped victims.
The burning of the vehicle reportedly increased fear within the communities, forcing many residents to flee their homes over fears that the attackers might return.
Traditional Ruler Recounts Terrifying Moment Gunshots Interrupted Town Meeting
The traditional ruler of the community, the Eleshi Ele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, confirmed that the terrorists arrived on eight motorcycles, with two armed men on each bike.
The monarch explained that the attack started while community leaders and residents were holding a town hall meeting.
According to him, the sound of heavy gunfire suddenly interrupted the gathering, causing panic as people ran in different directions without knowing exactly what was happening.
He said it was later discovered that the gunmen had invaded nearby schools, killed a teacher and abducted several pupils and school workers.
The monarch lamented that the attackers showed no mercy during the operation, stressing that even very young children in nursery and primary classes were taken away.
He expressed sadness that the exact number of kidnapped children was still unknown because several parents had not been able to locate their children after the attack.
Oba Abioye also confirmed that the commercial motorcyclist killed during the incident mistakenly rode into the area while the attack was ongoing.
According to him, the attackers later seized the man’s motorcycle and used it during their operation.
The traditional ruler blamed the scale of destruction on the absence of a nearby police station, revealing that security operatives arrived nearly two hours after the terrorists had already escaped.
He lamented that the delayed response left the communities vulnerable throughout the operation.
Security Forces Launch Massive Forest Search
Following the attack, the terrorists reportedly escaped into nearby forest reserves linking Oriire communities and the Old Oyo National Park axis.
Security agencies, including police tactical units and military personnel, immediately launched a joint rescue and search operation.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Abimbola, was said to have personally led security teams to the affected communities shortly after the attack.
Military personnel were also deployed into the forests to comb suspected hideouts and possible escape routes used by the terrorists.
As of Friday night, security operatives were still searching the forest areas in an effort to rescue the kidnapped victims and track down the attackers.
Communities Deserted As Parents Search For Missing Children
Residents described the aftermath of the attack as devastating, with many families abandoning their homes over fears of another invasion.
Some community members claimed that the number of security personnel eventually deployed to the area appeared larger than the number of residents who remained behind.
Despite the heavy security presence, fear and uncertainty continued to spread across the communities as many parents remained unable to locate their children.
The Chairman of Oriire Local Government Area, Michael Olateju, confirmed that the attackers entered through the Yawota axis.
He explained that the difficult terrain and long distance from the nearest police station made rapid intervention almost impossible.
According to him, the gunmen were heavily armed and operated in organized groups during the attack.
Former lawmaker representing Oriire Constituency, Bamigboye Abidoye, also stated that the terrorists exploited the proximity of the communities to nearby forest reserves.
He explained that the attackers moved quickly on motorcycles between different settlements while abducting pupils and teachers before forcing some victims into vehicles.
The former lawmaker stressed the urgent need for a military base in the area to prevent future attacks.
Family Cries Out Over Missing JSS2 Student
One relative of a missing student revealed that his 16-year-old niece, a JSS2 student, had remained missing since she left home for school on Friday morning.
The family member explained that the teenager departed for school around 7am but never returned home.
According to him, relatives had searched several places without success and were unsure whether she was among those abducted or if she escaped into hiding during the attack.
He described the emotional pain and confusion currently affecting the family, saying everyone remained deeply worried about her safety and whereabouts.
Government Orders Immediate Closure Of Schools
Following the incident, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board described the attack as a painful and tragic moment for the education sector.
Authorities subsequently ordered the temporary closure of schools in Oriire Local Government Area and neighboring councils including Surulere, Oyo East and Olorunsogo.
Officials explained that the closure became necessary to protect pupils and teachers while security agencies worked to stabilize the affected communities.
The Oyo State Police Command later confirmed the killing of the assistant headmaster and the commercial motorcyclist.
The police also confirmed that several pupils and staff members were abducted during the operation, although no pupil death had officially been confirmed as of the time of filing the report.
Another School Attack Reported Near Sambisa Forest In Borno
In a separate development, gunmen reportedly attacked a school in Mussa community near the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State on Friday morning.
The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the incident but explained that details surrounding the attack were still unclear.
According to him, information available indicated that many students fled into nearby bushes during the invasion, although authorities were still trying to determine how many children were abducted.
He described the attack as heartbreaking, especially because it reportedly happened shortly after security troops conducting patrol operations had left the area.
Similarly, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, disclosed that the attackers invaded the school without resistance and abducted several pupils.
He explained that although the exact number of victims had not been confirmed, sources suggested the attackers were linked to the same faction responsible for the earlier Ngoshe kidnapping.
Kaigama further clarified that the victims were pupils of a day school and not boarders.
According to him, the gunmen arrived around 9am and carried out the operation freely before leaving the community with the abducted children.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, stated that authorities were still verifying details surrounding the incident.
Fresh Concerns Over Safety Of Nigerian Schools
The attacks in Oyo and Borno States have once again raised serious concerns about the safety of schools across Nigeria, particularly in rural communities located near forests and remote areas.
From the Chibok school abduction in 2014 to repeated kidnappings in states such as Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi, schools across the country have continued to remain vulnerable targets for terrorists and armed criminal groups.
Residents and security experts are now calling for stronger security presence around schools, especially in isolated communities where emergency response remains dangerously slow.
