Fear and grief have engulfed Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after one of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by bandits.
The teacher was allegedly beheaded in a shocking video said to have been released by the kidnappers on Sunday.
The footage, which later surfaced on Telegram on Monday, reportedly showed the victim tied up and compelled to speak before he was brutally murdered.
The development has triggered anger and deep concern among residents and families of the remaining victims still in captivity.
Community members and relatives have continued to plead with security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of those still held by the gunmen.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, expressed sympathy to the family of the slain teacher and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees.
According to him, the state government is combining military operations and non-violent strategies to secure the victims’ freedom.
Olanrewaju also revealed that security operatives injured during rescue missions were receiving treatment and that the government would cover all medical expenses.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, stressing that authorities were working tirelessly to bring the victims back safely.
“There may not be an immediate solution, but we are doing everything possible to ensure this situation is resolved quickly,” he said.
The governor’s aide disclosed that seven teachers were initially abducted during the attack and confirmed that one of them, reportedly a mathematics teacher, had been killed by the attackers.
He further stated that security agencies had arrested several suspects linked to the incident.
According to him, about six persons were apprehended within the community based on information provided by the police, with some suspected to be informants or logistics suppliers for the kidnappers.
He added that another security outfit in the state also arrested three additional suspects connected to the case.
The attack reportedly occurred on Friday, May 15, when armed men stormed the school and abducted the principal, teachers and some students.
The incident came only weeks after an attempted kidnapping along the Ibadan-Ijebu Road reportedly claimed the life of a traveller, further raising concerns over worsening insecurity in Oyo State and other parts of the country.
