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Oyo School Kidnap: Toddler, Teachers Among Victims as Rescue Efforts Intensify
Gunmen abducted pupils and teachers, including a two-year-old child, during coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo State, prompting nationwide reactions and intensified rescue operations by security agencies.
A two-year-old child identified as Christianah Akanbi is among dozens of pupils and teachers abducted during attacks on schools and communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Community leaders said 46 people — including 39 students and seven teachers — were kidnapped from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School during the attack carried out by armed men last Friday.
The attackers also reportedly carted away four motorcycles belonging to residents.
However, the Oyo State command of the Nigeria Police Force said confirmed figures showed 25 victims remained missing.
Police spokesperson CSP Olayinka Ayanlade said the gunmen stormed the schools on motorcycles before abducting pupils and teachers.
“As of now, we have confirmation that seven students, 18 pupils and seven teachers are still missing. Those are the figures we can confirm for now,” he stated.
Ayanlade said rescue operations were ongoing but stressed that security agencies were proceeding cautiously to avoid endangering the lives of the captives.
“The children and teachers are with them. Any exchange of fire must be done meticulously because we do not want to jeopardise or risk the lives of the captives,” he explained.
The Defence Headquarters assured Nigerians that troops were actively pursuing the kidnappers and working toward the safe rescue of the victims.
Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede condemned the incident as “callous and reprehensible,” while military authorities denied reports that terrorists had established permanent camps in the South-West.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, also deployed additional detectives to support the joint rescue operation.
Public outrage intensified after reports emerged that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the attackers.
Reacting to the development, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria described the attack as a “national disgrace.”
“Our hearts are bleeding. We watched with horror the video released by the perpetrators, showing our brother—a devoted educator—bound, humiliated, and beheaded,” PFN President Francis Oke said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar blamed the worsening insecurity on failed leadership, while Peter Obi said the violence reflected “moral and social decay” in the country.
The Oodua People’s Congress and Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho also urged authorities to strengthen local security efforts to tackle rising attacks in the South-West.
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