Anxiety as gunmen behead kidnapped Oyo teacher

A kidnapped teacher of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed by suspected bandits.

The teacher was reportedly beheaded in a video said to have been released by the attackers on Sunday and circulated online, showing him tied up and forced to speak before being executed.

The footage, which surfaced on Telegram and was obtained by journalists on Monday, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of other victims still in captivity.

The development has thrown the affected community into mourning, with residents and families of the abducted victims calling on security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue efforts and secure the release of those still being held.

Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, confirmed the killing and conveyed the governor’s condolences to the family of the deceased.

He said the state government would continue to pursue both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

According to him, about six suspects connected to the kidnapping incident have already been arrested.

Olanrewaju also expressed sympathy to families of security operatives who died during a rescue operation, including personnel of the military, the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes.

He said the operatives reportedly lost their lives after running into Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the kidnappers, while some injured personnel are currently receiving treatment and responding positively.

He further assured that the government would continue to support victims’ families and intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks behind the attack.

He explained that seven teachers were abducted in total, adding that one of them, a mathematics teacher, was confirmed killed in the latest video.

Security authorities, according to him, have already made some progress in the investigation, with arrests made within the locality.

“About six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them, we believe, are informants or people running logistics for the terrorists,” he said.

He added that three other suspects of interest had also been arrested by another security outfit in the state.

The attack occurred on Friday, May 15, when gunmen invaded the school and abducted the principal alongside teachers and several students, further highlighting growing insecurity in parts of Oyo State.