Oyo schools kidnap: Terrorists open talks, give condition
Source: The Punch
Suspected terrorists who abducted schoolchildren and teachers from three schools in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly opened communication channels with the state government.
Highly placed sources told Saturday PUNCH that the abductors refused to negotiate directly with the families of the victims, insisting instead on speaking only with Governor Seyi Makinde or representatives of the state government.
“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 or exactly what they are demanding,” one source disclosed.
Although it remains unclear whether Governor Makinde is personally involved in the negotiations, another senior source described the development as a positive sign.
“It is not that security agencies don’t know what to do, but the risks are extremely high. The relief now is that at least communication has been established,” the source said.
The demands of the terrorists were said to be kept confidential to avoid jeopardising the safety of the abducted victims.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro, declined to comment on the negotiations.
“I can’t give any information at the moment,” he said in a terse response.
Fear mounts over fate of children
The abduction, which occurred last Friday, involved teachers and pupils, including toddlers reportedly aged between two and three years.
The victims have now spent more than a week in captivity, heightening fears among families and residents of affected communities.
Community sources said the abductees were being moved through thick forests and across neighbouring states to evade security operatives.
Residents expressed concern that worsening weather conditions and difficult terrain could endanger the lives of the children and other captives.
“We are worried about their safety. We don’t know how they are surviving in the forest. Children as young as two years old are among the abductees,” a community leader said.
School attendance drops across Ogbomoso axis
Findings revealed that fear triggered by the abduction has disrupted academic activities in Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities, including Ikose, Ikoyi, Tewure and Dananu.
Attendance in both public and private schools reportedly dropped sharply as many parents kept their children at home over security concerns.
A teacher at Ikose Primary School, who spoke anonymously, said schools had remained largely deserted since the attack.
“All the schools in Ogbomoso, both public and private, have been nearly empty since Monday. Parents are scared after the Esinele attack,” she said.
She recounted how panic spread further on Tuesday after students at Areago Grammar School reportedly spotted hunters in a nearby bush and mistook them for terrorists.
“The students raised the alarm and everybody started running. During the confusion, one pupil was knocked down by a vehicle around Owode and died instantly. His mother reportedly died from shock after hearing the news,” she added.
According to her, attendance worsened on Wednesday and Thursday as both pupils and teachers stayed away from school due to fear.
The teacher also disclosed that education workers boycotted classes on Friday in honour of former Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, who was killed during the attack and buried the same day.
Another teacher in Tewure said several parents informed her that their children would remain at home until the security situation improved.
“Parents are terrified. Some have completely withdrawn their children from school because they fear another attack,” she said.
Teachers express trauma, anxiety
Teachers across the affected areas said the killing of Adesiyan and another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly beheaded in captivity, had deepened fear among education workers.
“To be honest, we are traumatised. Some teachers are already discussing whether to stop teaching in remote communities for now,” one teacher lamented.
Another teacher identified simply as Tayo said social media rumours and disturbing videos circulating online had further heightened anxiety among parents and pupils.
“Once schoolchildren are kidnapped, every parent becomes afraid. Attendance has dropped significantly, and some parents now escort their children to school and pick them up immediately after closing hours,” he said.
Teachers and community leaders called on security agencies to strengthen security around schools located near forests and isolated rural communities.
Govt blames fake news for rising panic
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, acknowledged growing fear among residents but blamed social media misinformation for worsening panic.
“Bloggers are posting videos to aggravate the situation, even when some of the videos are false,” he said.
Oyelade assured residents that the government was taking steps to address the security situation and had already issued statements aimed at calming tension.
Slain teacher buried amid tears
Emotions ran high on Friday as family members, colleagues and sympathisers gathered in Ogbomoso for the burial of Joel Adesiyan, the 49-year-old teacher killed during the attack.
The funeral service, held at Ayegun Baptist Church, was attended by government officials, union leaders, church members and residents who demanded justice and the safe return of the abducted victims.
In a tribute delivered on behalf of Governor Makinde, the government assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue those still in captivity.
“The government is doing everything within its capacity to ensure that those in captivity are returned unharmed,” the tribute stated.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State, Fatai Hassan, described the deceased as a dedicated and humble professional whose death had left a painful vacuum in the education sector.
Family of beheaded teacher speaks
Meanwhile, the family of Michael Oyedokun, the teacher reportedly beheaded by the terrorists, described his death as heartbreaking and irreplaceable.
A family spokesperson, Ebeni Adediran, said Oyedokun had served as a teacher for over two decades and died without having children despite being married for more than 10 years.
“The most painful part is that he left no child behind. He and his wife had been married for over 10 years without a child, and now he is gone,” Adediran said.
The family also appealed to Nigerians to stop sharing graphic videos and images of the slain teacher online, saying the circulation of such content was worsening their grief and emotional trauma.
Source: The Punch