The Oyo State Police Command has commenced a manhunt to rescue and recover the students, staff, and vice principal kidnapped from some schools in Oriire Local Government on May 15.
According to the Police, armed assailants operating on motorcycles simultaneously attacked three schools situated in the same compound. They include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota as well as Community Grammar School/L.A Primary School, Esiele.
The assault led to the abduction of some students and staff members including the Vice Principal, Mrs. Alamu Folawe.
“It is important to state that as at the time of filing this report, no pupil or student has been confirmed killed during the incident,” the police stated.
During the attack, the gunmen killed one assistant headmaster identified as Mr. Adesiyan. They also reportedly killed an Okada rider who resisted attempts to forcefully take his motorcycle.
The police added that;
The attackers, after abducting some victims, also took away a Toyota Corolla vehicle belonging to the abducted Vice Principal and later set the vehicle ablaze along the road leading to the forest.
Reacting to the incident, OYOSUBEB Chairman Nureni Adenitan described it as a painful tragedy to the state’s education sector. He furthered that while the exact number of victims is currently unknown, security agents are combing the forests to find them.
Meanwhile, the Board has directed all primary schools in neighboring communities including Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire, and Olorunsogo to immediately vacate their schools until further notice. This is expected to prevent secondary incidents and also allow security agencies to stabilize the area.
