Panic and grief have engulfed Oyo State after suspected bandits reportedly beheaded one of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was allegedly murdered by the kidnappers, who later released a disturbing video showing the teacher tied up and forced to speak before he was gruesomely killed.
The shocking footage, said to have surfaced on Telegram on Sunday, has triggered outrage and renewed fears over the safety of the remaining victims still held captive by the gunmen.
Residents of the community, families of the abducted victims, and concerned indigenes have continued to mount pressure on security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue efforts before more lives are lost.
Confirming the killing on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, disclosed that the governor had sympathised with the victim’s family and assured residents that both kinetic and non-kinetic measures were being deployed to secure the release of the remaining captives.
He also revealed that security operatives had arrested about six suspects linked to the abduction.
Olanrewaju further sympathised with the families of soldiers, Amotekun operatives, and local vigilantes who lost their lives during rescue operations after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices allegedly planted by the abductors.
According to him, injured security personnel are responding positively to treatment, while the state government has pledged to cater for their welfare.
Appealing for calm and patience, he assured families and religious groups that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims alive.
“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.
Makinde also disclosed that authorities had recorded progress in the investigation, with multiple arrests already made.
“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 abductors had stormed the school on Friday, May 15, kidnapping the principal, several teachers, and students in a brazen attack that has further heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in Oyo State and other parts of the country.
The latest tragedy comes only weeks after another attempted kidnap attack along the Ibadan-Ijebu Road reportedly claimed the life of a traveller.
