Dare Babalola
The teacher of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, who was abducted during a recent school invasion, has been killed by his captors.
Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded in a disturbing video said to have been released by the abductors on Sunday and circulated online on Monday.
In the footage, the victim was seen tied up and forced to speak before being gruesomely executed.
The killing has heightened fear and anger across the affected communities, as families of abducted victims and residents continue to appeal for urgent rescue efforts for those still in captivity.
The incident is part of the violent attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esiele–Yawota axis of Oriire LGA on May 15, during which gunmen invaded Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, abducting teachers, school staff, and students.
The tragedy has left the community in deep mourning and renewed calls for intensified security operations in the area.
Confirming the development on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media to the Oyo State Governor, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, said Governor Seyi Makinde had expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and reassured residents of ongoing efforts to secure the release of other victims.
He said the state government is combining both military operations and non-violent intelligence-led strategies to rescue the remaining abductees safely.
According to him, security agencies have also recorded some progress in the investigation, with several suspects already arrested in connection with the incident.
“About six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them are suspected informants or logistics suppliers to the abductors,” he said.
He further disclosed that three additional persons of interest have been picked up by another security agency operating within the state.
Olanrewaju also sympathised with families of security operatives who lost their lives during rescue efforts, noting that some personnel died after their team encountered Improvised Explosive Devices planted by the abductors. He added that injured officers are currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.
Governor Makinde, according to him, urged residents, religious leaders and other stakeholders to remain calm, assuring that the government would not relent until all abducted persons are rescued and reunited with their families.
“So, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly,” he said.
He confirmed that seven teachers were initially abducted and that intelligence received by the government indicated that one of them, a mathematics teacher, had been killed.
The attack has further intensified concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, coming weeks after a failed kidnapping attempt along the Ibadan–Ijebu axis in which a traveller was killed.
