President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the gruesome execution of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher in Oyo State who was beheaded by suspected bandits just days after being taken hostage.
As the federal government coordinates with local security forces, Tinubu reacted to the Oyo school abduction by ordering a massive, tech-driven manhunt to rescue the remaining students and teachers still held captive in the forest.
The crisis escalated dramatically when the abductors released a disturbing viral video on social media showcasing the execution of Oyedokun, a tutor at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
The horrific footage showing how the suspected bandits beheaded the Oyo teacher has thrown the affected communities into deep mourning and triggered nationwide outrage.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that bandits invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff, students, and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
While Oyo State has historically escaped the large-scale mass school abductions frequently recorded in the northern region, these bold incursions into the South-West mark a dangerous shift in the logistics of Nigerian banditry.
In an official statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency revealed that the Inspector-General of Police is personally leading a tech-driven rescue strategy.
Tinubu has assured that all victims abducted during the attack on schools in Oyo State will be rescued.
The President said: “I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” the President said.
This also comes after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Sunday, confirmed the killing of one of the teachers abducted alongside other victims and pledged that the government would continue efforts to rescue the remaining abductees.
He said that seven teachers and an as-yet-unconfirmed number of pupils were abducted.
The governor said one of the abducted teachers, believed to be a Mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers were abducted. Unfortunately, we received a video this morning indicating that one of the teachers, understood to be the Mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists. Our prayers are with the family,” Makinde said.
Meanwhile, teachers on Monday shut down classroom activities in Ogbomoso and staged a peaceful protest at the TESCOM office in the town over the kidnapping of students and teachers, which resulted in the killing of one teacher.
The protesters marched with placards bearing various inscriptions, calling on governments at all levels to intensify efforts toward securing the release of those currently being held captive by kidnappers.
The teachers also demanded improved security around schools and safer learning environments for both staff and students.
