The recent school abductions in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have triggered widespread concern across the state because such coordinated attacks on schools are relatively rare in southwestern part of Nigeria compared to the country’s northern regions.
What Happened?
On Friday, May 15, 2026, armed gunmen attacked multiple schools in communities around Ahoro-Esinele/Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area.
The schools reportedly affected included: Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School. Some reports also mentioned Community High School.
Number of Victims
The exact number of abducted persons remains unclear because different sources gave varying figures.
Reported estimates include:
Around 40 children abducted
45 pupils and a teacher kidnapped
Up to 46 people, including children aged between 2 and 16 years, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State
Another report said 39 students and seven teachers were taken.
Along the line, an assistant headmaster/school official was killed during the attacks. Some teachers were reportedly shot or injured.
Casualties included an Assistant Headmaster Mr Adesiyan and a yet to be identified Motorcycle Rider.
The most dastardly was the beheading of Mr Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics Teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele who was one of those abducted. The nauseating video of the killing by the bandits is still trending online.
From Engr Seyi Makinde up to President Bola Tinubu, this development has remained an embarrassment and a source of serious worries. This is because the elitist people of the South West of Nigeria are definitely not going to rest until this atrocious activity is properly dealt with to prevent a re-occurrence.
As at the time of going to press, the situation was still the same. The victims were still in captivity with no news of how they are faring especially as the rains have continued to pour.
In addition, most observers and stakeholders have been asking questions. But then, this is no season for queries. This is the time to release innocent Nigerians from captivity. And there is need for all hands to be on deck.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
