Suspected terrorists who kidnapped pupils and teachers from schools in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly opened communication with the state government.
Sources told Saturday PUNCH that the abductors refused to speak with families of the victims.
“They said they only want to talk to the governor and nobody else. That was the condition they gave for negotiation. So, nobody knows the details and what they are demanding,” a source said.
Although it is unclear whether Governor Seyi Makinde is personally involved or represented by officials, a senior source described the development as encouraging.
“It is not that security agencies don’t know what to do. But the risks are too high. The relief is that at least now, they are talking,” the source said.
The kidnappers’ demands are being kept secret to avoid putting the victims at greater risk. Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro, declined to comment, saying, “I can’t give any information at the moment.”
The victims, including toddlers aged two and three, have now spent eight days in captivity. Community leaders say fears are rising as the rainy season makes movement through forests more difficult. Residents also claim the abductees are being moved through thick forests and across state borders to avoid security forces.
“We are worried about their safety. We don’t know how they are faring. Children of two-year-old are among the abductees,” a community leader said.
The attack has emptied classrooms across Ogbomoso and nearby communities. Teachers said attendance has dropped sharply as frightened parents keep children at home. Panic worsened after a false alarm at Areago Grammar School triggered chaos, during which a pupil died in a road accident and his mother later died from shock.
Teachers also expressed fear following the killing of former Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan during the attack and the beheading of another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, in captivity.
On Friday, Adesiyan, 49, was buried in Ogbomoso. Meanwhile, Oyedokun’s family revealed he died childless after more than 10 years of marriage and appealed to Nigerians to stop sharing graphic videos and images linked to his death, saying the content continues to deepen their pain.
