Fear and uncertainty continue to grip communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after coordinated attacks on three schools in Ahoro-Esin-Ile, Yawota and Alawusa on May 15.
Aminat, one of the survivors, recalled how armed men invaded her school during examinations.
“We were writing an exam when we heard them shooting. That’s how we ran into the bush. Even our teacher ran away. We haven’t seen him since then,” she said.
She said pupils fled in different directions. Her family later discovered her elder brother was missing.
“Since then I have not seen my elder brother. After searching everywhere and he was nowhere to be found, that’s how we knew he was missing,” she added.
Residents said the attacks happened at the same time, leaving books, bags and other belongings scattered. At the Baptist school in Esin-Ile, classrooms remained littered with pupils’ belongings after the attackers fled.
Mama Muheez, Aminat’s mother, said her eight-year-old son, Abdulraman, was abducted.
“When they finished eating, they went to school. We heard they were kidnapped before 11 a.m. The government told us they have been looking for them. It has been difficult. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep,” she said.
She added: “For now they can’t go back to school because we are scared. The government should help us. These children are my life.”
During rescue efforts, tragedy struck again. Adigun Michael said his brother, Shuaibu Adigun, died after stepping on explosives allegedly planted by the attackers.
“My brother was among those who went in search of the kidnapped children, but they laid mines along the road. It was the bomb that my brother matched and died,” he said.
Michael added: “The pain is much.”
Community leader Yekini Abioye described the incident as unprecedented.
“It was around 9 a.m. that we started hearing gunshots and they said bandits were in town. This has never happened in this town. We are shattered as a community,” he said.
“They first killed a vigilante person. We need the army around here. The children can’t return to school for now.”
Sarah Aina said one of her twin children was abducted during an examination.
“My kids are twins. They were writing an exam when the bandits came and asked them to stand up. That’s how they picked one of the twins,” she said.
“We ask the government to help us. We are still scared.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu sent a high-powered delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to the affected communities. The team included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and presidential aide Sunday Dare.
The delegation conveyed Tinubu’s concern and commitment to securing the victims’ release. The president also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered a specialised rescue unit to intensify efforts.
Gbajabiamila assured residents: “Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely.”
The Nigeria Union of Teachers directed public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to begin an indefinite strike from June 1, 2026.
“We have directed all Teachers in Oyo state to remain at home starting from tomorrow (Monday),” NUT President Audu Amba said.
The union said teachers would stay away from work “until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released.
THISDAY
