Follow Us on Google
Nigerians tired of condolences without consequences –CAN •Tinubu condemns killing of abducted teacher, vows rescue of others • We’ll never surrender to terrorism – Makinde
From Seye Ojo, Taiwo Oluwadamilare, Ibadan, Fred Ezeh, Abuja and Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Outrage and condemnation have trailed the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in coordinated attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
This is as Governor Seyi Makinde said government was ready to listen to the demands of the abductors in order to secure their safe release but would never surrender to terrorism, assuring that all efforts were being intensified to ensure the victims returned home unharmed.
Gunmen on Friday invaded the LGA attacking the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, LA School Esinele and Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele where an assistant headteacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun and a commercial motorcyclist were killed.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing of one of the teachers abducted during the attack on Ahoro Esinele Community in Oriire Local Government Area, identified as a Mathematics teacher.
Makinde disclosed this on Sunday after a security review meeting with security advisers and service commanders over the abduction of teachers and pupils from the community on Friday.
The governor said the government received a video indicating that the teacher was killed by the abductors, who he described as terrorists.
“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 Maths teacher, was killed by the terrorists this morning.”
According to him, in a bid to rescue the abductees, some soldiers, members of the Amotekun Corps, hunters and local vigilantes sustained injuries after their tactical team encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the abductors.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Governor Makinde said government was ready to listen to the demands of the abductors in order to secure their safe release. He, however, said the state would never surrender to terrorism, assuring that all efforts were being intensified to ensure the victims returned home unharmed.
“We have now conclusively confirmed that at the Community Secondary School, seven students were abducted, while at the First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted alongside seven teachers.
“Unfortunately, as I reported yesterday, one of them was killed.”
Makinde described the situation as “fluid and difficult,” noting that security operatives were still carrying out rescue operations in the area.
“The operation is still ongoing. It remains a very fluid and difficult situation for our troops on the ground.
“I will, therefore, appeal for responsible reporting because this is not about sensationalism; it involves human lives.”
The governor disclosed that the state government had established an operational situation room at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate rescue efforts and provide verified information to the public.
“We have set up an operational centre at the police headquarters here. The Commissioner of Police will coordinate the situation room and provide the required information,” he added.
Makinde appealed to the abductors to release the victims promptly, insisting that the government was willing to engage them to save lives.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that our children and their teachers return safely.
“These are not foreigners; they are our people.
“Whatever their demands may be, we are ready to listen and address the ones we can as a state government.
“The children and their teachers must be released without delay,” he said.
•Tinubu speaks
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has condemned the killing of the abducted Oyo teacher and has vowed to rescue others.
According to a statement by Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga in Abuja, Tinubu said security operatives were working round the clock to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the bandits and their collaborators operating within the affected communities.
He sympathised with Governor Makinde, the government and people of Oyo State over the incident and assured them of the Federal Government’s support in ongoing rescue efforts.
“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken.
“I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims. The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims,” the president said.
Tinubu also commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara states for their swift intervention following the attack.
The president disclosed that the IGP was personally leading what he described as a technology-driven operation aimed at rescuing the victims and tracking the criminals.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon.
“The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Other News
Tinubu further stated that recurring kidnapping incidents across parts of the country had strengthened the case for the establishment of state police structures nationwide.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” he said.
•CAN: Direct assault on the conscience of the nation
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said the invasion of schools in broad daylight, the murder of innocent citizens and the forceful abduction of defenceless children represent a horrifying collapse of security and a direct assault on the conscience of the nation.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, said it was intolerable, disgraceful and utterly unacceptable that Nigerian children could no longer sit safely in classrooms without fear of being kidnapped by armed gangs. Nigerians are exhausted by condolences without consequences, and promises without protection.
“The continued failure to decisively dismantle kidnapping networks and armed criminal groups is steadily normalising terror across the country. What was once concentrated in parts of northern Nigeria is now spreading dangerously into the South-West and other regions, threatening national stability, public confidence and the safety of future generations.”
CAN called on the Federal Government, security agencies and the Oyo State Government to move beyond routine statements and demonstrate immediate, forceful and coordinated action.
“CAN was outraged that heavily armed attackers could storm multiple schools, terrorise communities, kill innocent people and disappear with dozens of pupils and teachers.
“This is not merely another security incident. It is a national disgrace and a frightening reminder that organised criminal violence is spreading into parts of the country once considered relatively secure.
“Every available security and intelligence resource must be deployed to secure the unconditional release of the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators and their collaborators to justice.
“Nigeria must never surrender its schools, its children or its future to armed criminals. Safe school initiatives must no longer exist only on paper while students and teachers remain exposed to terror. Rural communities, forest corridors and known criminal hideouts must be aggressively secured, monitored and reclaimed without delay,” he said.
CAN maintained that it stands in solidarity with the affected families, churches, school communities and residents of Oriire Local Government Area during this painful period.
“We pray for the safe return of all abducted victims, and for comfort, strength and healing for every family affected by this tragedy.
“Sadly, when children are hunted in their classrooms, silence becomes complicity and delay becomes dangerous. Nigeria must act decisively to defeat these criminal networks before more innocent lives are destroyed,” he added.
•Ooni urges swift security action
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, condemned the attack on schools and abduction of students and teachers as disturbing, heartbreaking and unacceptable.
He expressed sadness over the loss of lives recorded during the incident, including an Assistant Headmaster, Mr Joel Adesiyan, a commercial motorcyclist and one of the abducted teachers, Mr Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly killed in captivity.
According to him, attacks on schools and educational communities amount to a direct assault on the future of the nation, stressing that children and teachers must never become victims of criminal activities.
He, therefore, urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations for victims still in captivity and bring perpetrators of the attack to justice.
The traditional ruler also called on governments at all levels to strengthen security architecture around schools and vulnerable rural communities to prevent future occurrences.
The oba further appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies with credible information, noting that the fight against kidnapping requires collective responsibility and national unity.
He also sympathised with families of security operatives, Amotekun Corps members and local vigilantes who reportedly lost their lives during rescue efforts, describing their sacrifices as patriotic and heroic.
The Ooni prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and asked God to comfort bereaved families as well as grant freedom to all abducted victims still in captivity.
Oluwo urges Tinubu to empower traditional rulers
Reacting, Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi, called on President Tinubu to empower traditional rulers to prevent further bandit encroachment into Yorubaland.
Oba Akanbi suggested that government support should include security votes, security vehicles, and other logistics to strengthen local security coordination and improve surveillance across Yorubaland.
He said the empowerment should begin with first-class traditional rulers, noting that palaces are often the first point of contact whenever a town’s security is threatened.
According to the Oluwo, Iwo already has many paramilitary societies working alongside the police to prevent bandit invasion, but that the arrangement has been undermined by lack of government support.
He urged government – especially the governors—to strengthen monarchs to enable swift response during security breaches in their communities.
Oba Akanbi also appealed to Yoruba stakeholders and Southwest governors to harmonise their interests and ensure that Yorubaland land is not infiltrated by bandits.
He urged the South West governors to convene a meeting with traditional rulers and bring security forces together for a collaborative dialogue on how to repel bandit attacks.
The Oluwo described the attack as condemnable, saying it was a “heinous act against humanity” and a desecration of Yorubaland and its heritage.
He reiterated that providing logistics for monarchs would hasten response from palaces, urging all monarchs to remain vigilant and improve surveillance in their domains.
