Videos: Bandits Show Ahoro-Esinele Victims’ Faces in Disturbing Clips, Force Principal, Others to Plead for Government Intervention
Fresh details have emerged from the kidnapping incident at Ahoro-Esinele in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as abductors reportedly forced victims to appear in a disturbing video pleading for government intervention and negotiation for their release.
Among those seen in the video was the Principal of Community High School, Osiele, Mrs. Alamu F.R., who appeared visibly distressed while appealing to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and well meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure their freedom.
According to the principal, the victims including staff members and students were abducted during an attack that occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
“I am Mrs. Alamu F.R. I am the principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government of Oyo State. On Friday around 9:30, we were attacked by a certain group of people and a good number of us were abducted, the staff and the students as well, and we have been here since Friday. I am making this video to ask for help from everyone, starting from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and all well meaning Nigerians, that they should come to our help and settle these things peacefully, so that our lives will not be lost,” she said in the video.
The kidnappers reportedly recorded the victims inside a thick forest location and compelled them to publicly beg authorities to negotiate peacefully with the abductors to avoid loss of lives.
The attack, which targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and Community Grammar School/L.A Primary School, Esiele, has also claimed two lives.
An okada rider was reportedly shot dead after resisting attempts by the attackers to seize his motorcycle, while a teacher was earlier confirmed killed during the assault.
Several pupils, students, and school staff members were abducted during the coordinated raid, which threw the community into panic as heavily armed men stormed the schools and surrounding areas.
Security operations have since been intensified, as the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, alongside senior police officials and tactical commanders, visited the scene and ordered the deployment of additional operational assets to the area to strengthen ongoing rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has also led tactical operatives and other security commanders to the affected communities for an on the spot assessment and coordinated rescue operations.
The Nigeria Police Force in the state said additional tactical teams and intelligence assets had been deployed to rescue the abducted victims and track down the perpetrators.
Residents have also been urged to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts and investigations as security operations continue in the area.