By: Sunday Ameh
The Chairman of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Alabi Olateju Michael, has said security operatives are tightening the noose around abductors responsible for the attack on schools in Ahoro-Esinele community, expressing optimism that the kidnapped pupils, students and teachers would soon regain freedom.
Michael disclosed this during an exclusive telephone interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Wednesday, assuring residents that security agencies had sustained coordinated rescue efforts since the incident occurred.
“It is a shocking incident but efforts are ongoing with the security operatives to secure the release of the abductees,” he said.
“They’ve been on ground since Friday and they’ve been surrounded. We have hope that soon they will be released.”
According to reports, armed bandits had on Friday invaded Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area and simultaneously attacked three schools, including Community High School and two nearby primary schools.
The gunmen, who reportedly arrived on motorcycles, were said to have moved from classroom to classroom before abducting the principal, teachers and dozens of pupils, sparking a large-scale rescue operation and national concern.
The council chairman, while describing the attack as unexpected, attributed the security challenge partly to the area’s difficult terrain and proximity to forest reserves.
“You know we live in a farm-located area and we are surrounded by the reserve, so we have different people coming in, herders and farmers from different places, particularly non-Yoruba speaking natives. We can’t be too suspicious, but regardless of that, we never saw it coming,” he said.
He added that the area had witnessed previous isolated attacks on local vigilante groups in neighbouring communities.
“Before now, they’ve attacked some local vigilantes in Shepeteri and Oke-Ogun. We know they are there. It’s closely far from us. It came as a shock,” he stated.
Amid growing concerns over security in nearby communities, Michael dismissed reports suggesting that insecurity had spread to Ogbomoso, insisting that schools remained open and activities continued without disruption.
“Schools are in session in Ogbomoso regardless of the situation. There’s no attack in Ogbomoso. People are just spreading rumours to cause panic within the land. Oriire is distanced from Ogbomoso,” he said.
He further disclosed that senior state officials had intensified intervention efforts, noting that the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, had been deployed to the affected area alongside security operatives.
According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration had also extended support to security personnel involved in the operation.
“As the chairman of the local government, I have been there. In fact, I just left a meeting with them where we had to go and get stuff for the men in the forest.
“Our dear governor has sent his deputy to the site. They’ve gone to see the wounded soldiers and vigilantes, so it is all hands on deck. Efforts will yield result,” he said.
Giving further details of the incident, Michael explained that the abductors used motorcycles and later hijacked a teacher’s vehicle before abandoning and burning it in a difficult terrain area.
“What we heard was that they came with motorcycles and later took the car of one of the teachers to convey these kidnapped people. They burnt it when they got to a place that was not motorable. They came with motorcycles and then made them walk,” he said.
He revealed that victims included children as young as two years old, with older students around age 16.
The chairman also disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had taken direct charge of operations in the area.
“As I speak to you, the IG is in Oriire and all the axis and neighbouring towns and environs have been guaranteed safety,” he said.
Michael confirmed that three persons, including a motorcycle rider and teachers, lost their lives during the incident. He identified one of the victims as Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher reportedly killed while in captivity.
The development has continued to generate reactions nationwide, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemning the killing and assuring Nigerians that security operations would secure the release of all abducted victims.
Authorities said security operations remain ongoing in forest areas believed to be connected to the Old Oyo National Park.
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