Kidnapped Oyo Teacher Beheaded As Makinde Confirms Arrest Of Six Suspects

Kidnapped Oyo Teacher Beheaded As Makinde Confirms Arrest Of Six Suspects

One of the abducted teachers of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed by suspected terrorists, deepening fears over the safety of other victims still in captivity.

Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded in a disturbing video allegedly released by the kidnappers on Sunday, days after gunmen invaded the school and abducted teachers, students, and the school principal.

The video, which circulated on Telegram and other social media platforms on Monday, reportedly showed the teacher tied up and forced to speak before he was gruesomely killed.

The killing has sparked outrage and grief across Oyo State, with residents, education stakeholders, and community leaders calling for intensified rescue efforts to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

Confirming the incident, Governor Seyi Makinde, through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, expressed condolences to the family of the slain teacher and assured residents that the government was intensifying efforts to rescue those still being held.

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According to the statement, the government would continue to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in tackling the crisis and securing the release of the victims.

“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,” Olanrewaju said.

The government also disclosed that at least six suspects connected to the kidnapping had been arrested within the community.

“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 added.

The state government further sympathised with members of the joint rescue team, including soldiers, operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, and local vigilantes, who reportedly lost their lives during rescue operations.

According to the government, the security operatives died after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the abductors.

Authorities also confirmed that several injured personnel were receiving treatment and responding positively.

The attack on the school reportedly occurred on Friday, May 15, when armed men stormed Community High School and abducted the principal, teachers, and students, throwing the community into panic.

The incident came weeks after another attempted kidnapping attack along the Ibadan-Ijebu Road, where a traveller was reportedly killed, further heightening concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State.

Security analysts have warned that criminal groups are increasingly expanding operations beyond traditional flashpoints in the North-West and North-Central regions into parts of the South-West.

Residents of Ahoro-Esinle and neighbouring communities have continued to urge security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts to prevent further killings and ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.

Kidnapped Oyo Teacher Beheaded As Makinde Confirms Arrest Of Six Suspects