By Sabiu Abdullahi
Residents of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are in mourning after kidnappers reportedly killed one of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.
The victim, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly murdered in a video said to have been released by the abductors on Sunday.
The footage, which surfaced on Telegram and was seen by journalists on Monday, showed the teacher tied up and forced to speak before he was killed. The incident has sparked anxiety over the fate of the remaining captives.
Families of the victims, community members and concerned residents have continued to urge security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to rescue those still being held by the gunmen.
The Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, confirmed the killing in a statement issued on Monday. He said the governor had sympathised with the family of the deceased teacher and assured residents that the government would employ both military and non-military measures to secure the release of the remaining victims.
Olanrewaju also disclosed that security agencies had arrested about six persons linked to the abduction.
He further condoled with the families of soldiers, members of the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes who died during rescue operations.
According to him, the operatives encountered Improvised Explosive Devices planted by the abductors during the mission.
He added that injured security personnel were responding to treatment and assured that the state government would provide the necessary support for their care.
He appealed to families of the victims, religious organisations and other stakeholders to remain calm while rescue efforts continue.
“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he stated.
The governor’s aide also said progress had been made in the investigation, with several suspects already in custody.
“Well, from the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality.
“Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists.
“Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested by another security outfit within the state,” he said.
The abduction occurred on Friday, May 15, when armed men stormed the school and kidnapped the principal, several teachers and some students.
The incident has renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, especially after an earlier attempted kidnapping along the Ibadan-Ijebu road reportedly claimed the life of a traveller.
