2 Killed As Gunmen Abduct School Principal, Students In Oyo Attack

At least two persons have been killed and several others abducted following a coordinated attack by armed men on Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where a secondary school principal, a vice principal, students and pupils were taken away.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday, saying it had launched an intensive manhunt and rescue operation following the invasion of schools and surrounding communities by armed hoodlums.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said preliminary investigations showed that the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, carried out simultaneous assaults on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and Community Grammar School/L.A Primary School, Esiele, abducting pupils, students, and staff members, including the Vice Principal, Mrs. Alamu Folawe.

He also confirmed that an Assistant Headmaster, identified as Mr. Adesiyan Joel, and an Okada rider were killed during the attack after the rider reportedly resisted attempts by the gunmen to seize his motorcycle.

“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.

The police said that, as of the time of filing the report, no pupil or student had been confirmed killed in the incident.

According to Olayinka, intelligence gathered indicated that Community Grammar School, Esiele, shares the same premises with L.A Primary School, Esiele, making both institutions vulnerable during the coordinated assault.

He further disclosed that the attackers, after abducting victims, also stole a Toyota Corolla belonging to the abducted Vice Principal before setting it ablaze along a road leading into the forest.

Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, reportedly led operatives and other service commanders to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and operational coordination, while ordering a comprehensive manhunt for the perpetrators.

Olayinka said tactical teams, intelligence units and other operational assets have since been deployed to the affected communities to prevent further breakdown of law and order, ensure public safety, and secure the rescue of the abducted victims as well as the arrest of those responsible.

The Command urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing investigations and rescue efforts.