One of the seven teachers abducted during a coordinated attack on two schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has been killed by the kidnappers, Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed.
The governor made the shocking disclosure on Sunday night after a high-level security review at his Kolapo Ishola residence in Ibadan.
“Unfortunately, we received a video this morning indicating that one of the teachers, I understand the Mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists earlier today,” Makinde said.
The attack happened on Friday when gunmen on motorcycles stormed Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, abducting a total of 46 persons, including 39 pupils and seven teachers.
Among those still missing are the school principal, Mrs Alamu Folawe, and vice principal, Mr Ojo Jonathan, alongside five other staff members.
Before the governor’s confirmation, a distress video had surfaced online showing Mrs Alamu pleading with the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, and Nigerians to help secure the release of the victims without force.
Makinde revealed that security operatives suffered casualties during rescue efforts, including an Amotekun operative now in critical condition, with soldiers and hunters also wounded.
“During that operation, they ran into improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and some of the Amotekun operatives were wounded,” he said.
He added that about nine persons have been arrested in connection with the incident, with some suspected to be informants and logistics contacts for the kidnappers.
The governor assured residents that the government was working round the clock, saying “we are doing everything within our power to ensure that this situation is resolved as quickly as possible and that our children are brought back safely.”
Makinde also warned that rising military pressure in Nigeria’s North-West and North-East was pushing armed groups southward, calling for sustained regional cooperation.
He announced daily press briefings starting immediately, noting that accurate figures on the number of abducted persons would only be confirmed once schools reopened and attendance registers were verified.
“We will be briefing the press every evening, starting from today, until further notice, as more information becomes available,” he said.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
