2 Killed As Gunmen Abduct Principal, Students In Oyo School

At least two persons have reportedly lost their lives as gunmen yesterday invaded Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire local government area of Oyo State, abducting the principal of a secondary school and an unspecified number of students.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying they have commenced an intensive manhunt and rescue operation of the victims from the coordinated attack carried out by armed hoodlums on some schools and surrounding communities within Oriire LGA on Friday.

The command’s public relations officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said that preliminary investigations revealed that the assailants, who operated on motorcycles, simultaneously attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota and Community Grammar School/ L.A Primary School, Esiele, abducting some pupils, students and staff members including the vice principal, Mrs Alamu Folawe.

He confirmed that an assistant headmaster identified as Mr Adesiyan Joel and an Okada rider who reportedly resisted attempts by the attackers to forcefully take his motorcycle were shot dead during the attack.

As at the time of filing this report, the police said no pupil or student has been confirmed killed during the incident.

“Sadly, one Assistant Headmaster identified as Mr Adesiyan Joel was killed during the attack. In a related development, an Okada rider who reportedly resisted attempts by the attackers to forcefully take his motorcycle was also shot dead,” he said.

According to him, the command gathered that Community Grammar School, Esiele operates within the same premises with L.A Primary School, Esiele.

“The attackers, after abducting some victims, also took away a Toyota Corolla vehicle belonging to the abducted vice principal and later set the vehicle ablaze along the road leading to the forest.

Following the incident, Olayinka said the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, immediately led operatives alongside other service commanders to the scene for on-the-spot assessment and operational coordination, while simultaneously directing a comprehensive manhunt for the perpetrators.

He said operational assets, tactical teams and intelligence platforms have since been deployed to the affected communities to prevent any further breakdown of law and order, ensure public safety and facilitate the rescue of the abducted victims as well as the apprehension of those responsible for the heinous act.

The command assured residents that intensive operations are ongoing and urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and supportive by providing timely and credible information that could aid the investigation and rescue efforts.