Photo: Oyedokun, Beheaded by the bandits
By: Mandy Park
Bandits suspected to have abducted seven teachers of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have reportedly beheaded one of the victims, identified as Michael Oyedokun, in a disturbing video released on Sunday.
The victim, said to be a mathematics teacher at the school, was seen in the viral video tied up and forced to speak before he was gruesomely killed by the abductors, sparking outrage and renewed fears over the safety of the remaining captives.
The horrifying incident has plunged the Ahoro-Esinle community into mourning, with residents, family members and concerned Nigerians calling on security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims before further tragedy occurs.
Confirming the killing on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, disclosed that the governor had expressed condolences to the family of the slain teacher and assured that the government would deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to rescue those still being held.
According to him, at least six suspects linked to the abduction have so far been arrested by security operatives.
Olanrewaju also sympathised with the families of members of the military tactical team, the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes who lost their lives during rescue operations.
He explained that the security operatives died after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the kidnappers during the operation.
The governor’s aide added that injured security personnel were responding positively to treatment, assuring that the government would bear the cost of their medical care.
Appealing for calm, Olanrewaju urged relatives of the abducted victims, religious organisations and other stakeholders to remain patient while ongoing rescue efforts continue.
“There may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this situation quickly,” he said.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. Unfortunately, we received a video this morning showing that one of the teachers, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists.”
He further disclosed that some breakthroughs had been recorded in the investigation.
“From information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them are believed to be informants or persons providing logistics support for the terrorists.
“Also, three persons of interest have been apprehended by another security outfit within the state,” he added.
The gunmen reportedly stormed the school on Friday, May 15, abducting the principal, several teachers and some students during the attack.
The incident came weeks after a failed kidnap attempt along the Ibadan-Ijebu road, which reportedly claimed the life of a traveller, further heightening concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Oyo State and across the country.
The latest attack has again raised questions about the growing threat posed by armed criminal groups operating in the South-West region, despite ongoing efforts by security agencies and local vigilante networks to curb kidnapping and violent crimes.
