By Frontline Reporters
Panic and grief have enveloped communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after suspected terrorists stormed three schools on Friday morning and abducted no fewer than 45 pupils and teachers in a coordinated attack that has sent shockwaves across the South-West.
The attacked schools include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School. Residents said the gunmen, heavily armed and dressed in military camouflage, invaded the communities around 8am, firing sporadically and forcing terrified pupils into the forest.
Security agencies have since launched massive rescue operations, sealing possible escape routes around the Old Oyo National Park axis and surrounding forests believed to be hiding the abductors.
A teacher at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Elizabeth Olagoke, narrated the terrifying ordeal, saying the attackers arrived on six motorcycles with two armed men on each bike.
“The terrorists came shooting and shouting in Yoruba, Hausa and Pidgin English. They were masked, young, and dressed in camouflage. Everywhere became chaotic,” she recounted emotionally.
According to her, the attackers first invaded her classroom, seized her alongside a two-year-old child, but later released her after she pleaded for mercy.
“I ran for my life while they chased after me. About 20 children were in my class. They abducted pupils from Yawota, Esiele and Alausa communities. They also kidnapped teachers and escaped with the children on motorcycles. It was horrifying,” she said.
The traditional ruler of the area, the Eleshi Ele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, confirmed that at least 45 pupils were taken away during the attack, adding that frantic efforts were ongoing to secure their release.
A former lawmaker representing Oriire Constituency, Bamigboye Abidoye, disclosed that over 36 pupils were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School alone, while several teachers were reportedly kidnapped from the secondary school.
Security sources revealed that three suspects linked to the attack had already been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for interrogation.
“We are intensifying investigations, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted pupils and staff unhurt,” a senior security operative disclosed.
Meanwhile, anguished parents and mothers across the affected communities have continued to weep uncontrollably as uncertainty surrounds the whereabouts of their children.
One of the mothers, Mrs. Ajarah Ayanwale, said the terrorists initially deceived residents by appearing in military uniforms, making villagers believe security operatives had arrived to protect them.
“We thought they were soldiers sent to protect us. Some people were even thanking God for security presence before gunshots suddenly erupted,” she lamented.
According to her, her seven-year-old son was abducted while another child narrowly escaped.
Another distraught mother, Shukurat Pius, said her five-year-old son, Stephen, was among those kidnapped.
“Some pupils escaped through the windows, but the smaller children who could not run were seized and taken away. I just want my child back alive,” she cried.
Nafisat Agunle, whose eight-year-old son disappeared during the attack, described the pain as unbearable.
“I have not eaten, slept or bathed since my son was taken. Our hearts are shattered,” she sobbed.
For Adijat Ibrahim, hope remains the only thing keeping her going after her nine-year-old son, Muhammed, failed to return home from school.
“I still feel he will suddenly walk back into the house. I just want my son alive again,” she said tearfully.
In Esiele community, Serah Oguntunde said she watched helplessly as the terrorists fled with her 13-year-old daughter, Hanah Ojo, and other pupils.
“We heard gunshots and later saw the gunmen speeding away with schoolchildren inside a vehicle driven by the abducted principal. Later, the vehicle was set ablaze,” she recounted.
Selimat Abadi, whose two children were abducted in the attack, described the tragedy as every parent’s nightmare.
“About 20 parents gathered at the school searching for their children, but many returned home empty-handed. This is terrifying,” she said.
Another resident, Gabriel Sunday, said two of his children — six-year-old Jacob and four-year-old Mary — were abducted, while one managed to escape through the bush.
“I only pray they bring my children back alive,” he said.
Reacting to the worsening insecurity, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, warned that terrorists and bandits had infiltrated South-West states.
According to him, the growing wave of kidnappings across Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo states signals a dangerous expansion of insecurity into the region.
“The terrorists are testing the waters. If urgent action is not taken, the situation may worsen,” Adams warned, calling for the establishment of state police and stronger collaboration with local security outfits familiar with the terrain.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government said security operatives had confined the suspected kidnappers within the National Park axis and intensified coordinated rescue operations involving the Nigerian Army, Police, Amotekun Corps, Civil Defence Agro Rangers, hunters and local vigilantes.
The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed that patrol teams had already been deployed across affected areas while surveillance operations continued around the forests bordering Oyo and Kwara states.
He assured residents that government remained committed to rescuing all abducted victims and restoring calm to the affected communities.
The frightening incident has also triggered heightened security alerts across South-West states including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun, with authorities deploying tactical teams, strengthening border surveillance and intensifying intelligence gathering to prevent similar attacks.
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