By Adesakin Adefemi
One of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed by his captors, officials confirmed on Monday. The killing was disclosed after a video surfaced online showing the teacher’s death.
The footage, reportedly released by the abductors on Sunday, showed Oyedokun tied and forced to speak before he was killed. The development has heightened fears for the safety of the remaining victims still held in captivity.
The attack occurred on Friday, May 15, when gunmen invaded the school and abducted the principal, several teachers, and students. The incident has intensified concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State and across Nigeria.
Confirming the killing, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, said the governor had extended condolences to Oyedokun’s family. He added that the state government would pursue both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to secure the release of those still in captivity.
Olanrewaju stated that about six suspects linked to the kidnapping have been arrested within the locality. He said some of those detained are believed to be informants or logistics providers for the attackers, while three others of interest were picked up by a separate security outfit in the state.
The media aide also sympathised with families of security personnel who died during a rescue operation. He explained that soldiers, Amotekun Corps members, and local vigilantes lost their lives after encountering improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors.
He noted that wounded operatives are responding to treatment and assured that the government would cover all medical costs. Olanrewaju appealed to families, religious bodies, and other stakeholders to exercise patience as efforts to rescue the victims continue.
“Seven teachers in all were abducted. Unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” Olanrewaju said. He added that the government has recorded some success in the operation, with arrests already made.
The attack follows a failed kidnap attempt weeks earlier along the Ibadan-Ijebu road that left one traveler dead. Authorities say they remain committed to dismantling the criminal network and reuniting the remaining hostages with their families.
