The family of Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, one of the teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and staff in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to order security agencies to recover his remains so he can be given a proper burial.
The appeal was made in an open letter jointly signed by members of the Oyedokun family and addressed to the President on Tuesday.
In the letter, the family expressed gratitude to Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies for securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers after nearly two months in captivity.
Despite the successful rescue, the family said its pain remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body has not been found.
“We sincerely thank Your Excellency for the efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security and intelligence agencies whose dedication and sacrifice led to the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims in Oyo State.
“The safe return of these victims has restored hope to their families and reaffirmed our confidence in the Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and liberty of its citizens. For this, we are deeply grateful,” the family wrote.
They noted that while other families have been reunited with their loved ones, they are still grieving because they have been unable to recover Oyedokun’s remains.
“Our beloved relative, Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, tragically lost his life while in captivity. Although the rescue operation was successful, his remains have yet to be recovered and returned to us for a dignified burial in accordance with our faith, traditions, and values.
“The absence of his body has prolonged our grief and denied our family the closure that every human being deserves. We continue to live with the pain of not knowing where he rests, unable to perform the final rites that would honour his memory and bring peace to our hearts,” the letter stated.
The family urged the President to instruct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the teacher’s remains.
“Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal that you direct the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the remains of Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun.
“We are confident that the same resolve which secured the freedom of the surviving victims can also ensure that his body is returned to his family.”
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According to the family, bringing Oyedokun’s remains home would restore dignity to his memory and allow relatives to begin healing.
“Recovering his remains is more than a humanitarian act; it is a solemn obligation that reflects the dignity of every Nigerian life. It would demonstrate that no citizen is forgotten, abandoned, or denied dignity, even in death.
“We earnestly hope this appeal will receive your compassionate and urgent consideration, so that we may finally lay our beloved husband, father, brother, and son to rest with the honour and dignity he deserves, and begin the difficult journey toward healing,” the family added.
Earlier, rescued Community High School principal Rachael Alamu disclosed that Oyedokun was beheaded by the kidnappers on the second day of captivity, while another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, was shot dead during the attack.
Alamu said the abductors deliberately killed both men to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
While Adegboye’s body was recovered and buried in Ogbomoso on May 22, Oyedokun’s remains are yet to be found despite the rescue of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers after 57 days in captivity.