One of the kidnapped teachers from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed. Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded in a disturbing new video released by bandits on Sunday.
The footage, which surfaced widely on Monday, showed the teacher being brutally murdered after being tied up and coerced into speaking.
The circulation of the viral video has sparked intense concern regarding the survival and safety of the other captives who remain held by the gang.
The tragic update has plunged the entire community into deep mourning, prompting residents, families of the abducted individuals, and community leaders to frantically urge security forces and the Oyo State Government to scale up rescue missions to free the remaining victims.
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Confirming the teacher’s death on Monday, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, issued a statement expressing the governor’s deep condolences to the bereaved family.
He assured that the state administration is utilizing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to secure the freedom of those still trapped in the kidnappers’ hideout.
Furthermore, Olanrewaju extended his sympathies to the families of the joint tactical team—consisting of soldiers, Amotekun Corps personnel, and local vigilantes—who were killed during a rescue attempt.
He disclosed that the operatives tragically lost their lives after striking Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) buried by the kidnappers.
The wounded personnel are currently responding well to medical care, with the government pledging to cover all medical expenses.
He appealed to the relatives of the victims, religious groups, and stakeholders to remain patient, reiterating the government’s resolve to bring the victims back home safely.
“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.
Governor Makinde noted that security forces have made tangible progress, resulting in the apprehension of several suspects linked to the kidnapping ring.
“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 crisis began when heavily armed gunmen stormed the school on Friday, May 15, abducting the school principal alongside teachers and a number of students.
The assault occurs just weeks after a separate, botched abduction attempt along the Ibadan-Ijebu road that claimed the life of a traveler, escalating fears over the deteriorating security situation within Oyo State and across the country.
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