One of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has reportedly been killed by his captors.
A disturbing video said to have been released by the kidnappers surfaced on Sunday, showing the teacher tied up before he was murdered. The footage has sparked outrage and renewed fears over the safety of the remaining victims still being held.
The incident has plunged the community into grief, with residents and families of the abducted persons urging security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue operations before more lives are lost.
Confirming the killing on Monday, Governor Seyi Makinde, through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and assured that the government was deploying both military and non-military strategies to secure the release of the others.
He disclosed that security agencies had already arrested several suspects linked to the kidnapping.
The governor’s aide also sympathised with the families of soldiers, Amotekun operatives, and local vigilantes who died during the rescue mission.
According to him, the security personnel were killed after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices planted by the abductors.
He added that injured operatives were responding to treatment and assured that the state government would cover their medical care.
Olanrewaju appealed to the families of the victims, religious leaders, and concerned residents to remain patient while rescue efforts continue.
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“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” he stated.
He further revealed that some progress had been made in the investigation.
“Well, from the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality.
“Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists.
“Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested by another security outfit within the state,” he said.