One of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed by his captors.
Oyedokun, who was among several educators kidnapped during an armed raid on the school on Friday, May 15, was reportedly beheaded in a video allegedly released by the abductors on Sunday. The footage, which surfaced on Telegram and was obtained on Monday, showed the victim tied up and forced to speak before being killed.
The release of the video has sparked renewed outrage and heightened fears over the safety of other victims still in captivity. Community members, relatives, and residents of the area have continued to appeal to security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining abductees.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, said the governor had extended condolences to the bereaved family and assured that both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies were being deployed to secure the release of other victims.
He disclosed that about seven teachers were initially abducted in the attack, while security agencies have recorded some progress in ongoing operations. According to him, approximately six suspects have been arrested within the locality in connection with the incident, believed to be informants or logistics suppliers to the attackers. He also said three additional persons of interest have been taken into custody by another security agency.
Olanrewaju further noted that members of the tactical response team comprising soldiers, operatives of the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the abductors during a rescue operation, resulting in casualties among the security personnel. He added that injured operatives are receiving treatment and responding positively.
The governor’s aide appealed for calm, urging families of the victims, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to remain patient as efforts to rescue the abductees continue.
Governor Makinde, according to the statement, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the release of the remaining victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The attack on the school has further heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, coming weeks after a failed kidnapping attempt along the Ibadan–Ijebu road that left one traveler dead.
