Gunmen Attack Oyo Schools, Abduct Pupils, Vice Principal, Kill Two

Gunmen Attack Oyo Schools, Abduct Pupils, Vice Principal, Kill Two

Residents of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were thrown into panic on Friday after suspected gunmen launched coordinated attacks on schools and nearby communities, abducting pupils, students, and staff members, including a vice principal.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed that the attackers invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota as well as Community Grammar School and L.A Primary School in Esiele during the early hours of the day.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the gunmen operated on motorcycles and carried out simultaneous attacks on the schools before fleeing through nearby forest routes with their victims.

Among those abducted was the Vice Principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs. Alamu Folawe. Several pupils and students were also reportedly taken away by the armed men.

The police, however, clarified that no pupil or student had been confirmed dead during the incident.

Two adults were killed during the attack. The victims were identified as Assistant Headmaster, Mr. Adesiyan, and an okada rider who allegedly resisted attempts by the attackers to seize his motorcycle.

The police further revealed that the gunmen also stole a Toyota Corolla belonging to the abducted vice principal before later setting the vehicle ablaze along a road leading to the forest.

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“The Command further gathered that Community Grammar School, Esiele operates within the same premises with L.A Primary School, Esiele. The attackers, after abducting some victims, also took away a Toyota Corolla vehicle belonging to the abducted Vice Principal and later set the vehicle ablaze along the road leading to the forest,” the statement read.

Security sources said the attack occurred between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., forcing terrified pupils, teachers, and residents to flee for safety.

The incident has sparked fresh concerns over rising insecurity and attacks on schools in parts of Nigeria, especially in rural communities with limited security presence.

Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, visited the affected communities alongside other security chiefs for an on-the-spot assessment.

The police commissioner subsequently ordered an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators, deploying tactical teams, intelligence operatives, and other security assets to the affected areas.

“The Command assures residents that intensive operations are ongoing and urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and supportive by providing timely and credible information that could aid the investigation and rescue efforts,” Olayinka added.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) described the incident as tragic and confirmed that efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of abducted pupils and staff members.

As a precautionary measure, authorities directed schools in neighbouring local government areas, including Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire, and Olorunsogo, to close temporarily pending further security assessments.

The latest Oyo school abduction has once again highlighted growing fears over the safety of schools and students in vulnerable communities across the country.

Gunmen Attack Oyo Schools, Abduct Pupils, Vice Principal, Kill Two