Michael Oyedokun, one of the kidnapped teachers of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has been beheaded by the bandits who captured them, raising fresh concerns over the safety of the remaining victims.
A video released by the captors on Sunday showed that the teacher was gruesomely killed after being tied and forced to speak. This is even as teachers on Monday shut down classroom activities in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and staged a peaceful protest at the TESCOM office in the town over the recent abduction of students and teachers, which resulted in the killing of one teacher.
The inhumane video has thrown the community into mourning as residents, families of the victims and locals continue to call on security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue operations to secure the release of those still in captivity before being killed.
Confirming the killing of the teacher, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, in a statement on Monday, said the governor extended his condolences to the victim’s family and assured his government would explore both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to rescue others in the kidnappers’ den.
He also added that about six suspects related to the kidnapping incident have been arrested.
He equally sympathised with the family members of the tactical team of soldiers, Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes, who lost their lives in the rescue operation.
According to him, the operatives lost their lives when they ran into improvised explosive devices (IEDs), planted by the abductors.
He stated that the wounded security personnel were responding positively to treatment and that the government would spare no cost in taking care of them.
He appealed to the victims’ relatives, religious bodies and other interested parties to exercise patience, promising that the government will rescue and reunite the victims with their families.
“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.
The gunmen invaded the school on Friday, May 15, and abducted the principal, alongside other teachers and several students.
The attack, which happened some weeks after a failed kidnap attempt that left one traveller dead along the Ibadan-Ijebu road, has renewed concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State and across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the protesting teachers marched with placards bearing various inscriptions, calling on governments at all levels to intensify efforts toward securing the release of those currently being held captive by kidnappers.
The demonstration followed the recent abduction incident in Oriire Local Government Area, which has continued to generate concern among education stakeholders and residents across the state.
The teachers also demanded improved security around schools and safer learning environments for both staff and students.
