More details have emerged regarding victims abducted during the recent invasion of communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State by heavily armed bandits.
Recall that armed bandits attacked schools and communities in Oriire Local Government, during which some residents were killed while several others were abducted.
Sources within the affected communities disclosed that a total of 46 persons were abducted during the coordinated attacks carried out across schools and residential settlements in the area.
The victims, according to findings, comprise seven teachers and 39 pupils who were forcefully taken away by the gunmen during the raid.
The affected schools include Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A Primary School, Esiele, where several pupils and members of staff were reportedly seized.
Findings revealed that the victims were abducted from Ahoro-Esinele, Yawota, Oniya, and Alawusa communities, throwing residents into panic as families continue to await positive news about their loved ones.
Among those reportedly abducted during the attacks was the Principal of Community High School, Esinele, Mrs. Alamu Folawe, alongside other school staff and pupils.
In a video circulating on social media, Mrs. Alamu appealed to the government and concerned individuals to urgently intervene and ensure the matter is resolved amicably to prevent loss of lives.
She pleaded for assistance while expressing fears over the safety of the abducted victims and calling for swift action toward their rescue.
During the attacks, the hoodlums also reportedly stole four motorcycles — three from Yawota community and one from the premises of Community High School.
The attackers were also said to have carted away a Toyota Corolla vehicle belonging to the school principal before later setting it ablaze near a forest route leading to the Old Oyo National Park.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government disclosed that the suspected kidnappers involved in the attack have been effectively confined within the National Park corridor following coordinated security operations aimed at blocking escape routes into neighbouring states.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the government said security operatives had successfully surrounded the area, restricting the movement of the suspects and preventing possible escape into Kwara State and other neighbouring locations.
According to the statement, the attack on L.A School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, led to the killing of a teacher and the abduction of some pupils, including the principal, two vice principals, and three teachers.
The commissioner disclosed that one motorcycle rider and one teacher were shot during the incident, while the injured teacher later died.
He explained that security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Agro Rangers, the Nigeria Police Force, and officers from the Monitoring Unit, were immediately mobilised for rescue operations, while the Commissioner of Police also directed the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to join the operation.
Oyelade further revealed that the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State coordinated with his counterpart in Kwara State to strengthen surveillance along border communities and prevent suspects from escaping across state lines.
He added that patrol operations involving Amotekun operatives and local hunters from seven local government areas in Oke-Ogun commenced following intelligence reports indicating that the suspects remained within the National Park axis.
While noting that there had been no direct contact with the abductors, Oyelade said authorities were still working to determine the exact number of abducted pupils as school authorities were yet to provide accurate records of missing children.
“This has made the rescue operation more difficult. What we are trying to do now is locate their position and apply pressure,” the commissioner stated.
He assured residents that security personnel remained actively engaged in the rescue operation and expressed confidence that sustained pressure on the suspects would aid the safe release of the abducted victims.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Friday visited Oyo State following the deadly attack and abduction incident that occurred in Oriire Local Government Area in the early hours of May 15, 2026.
During the visit, the IGP expressed deep concern over the incident and extended condolences to families of those who lost their lives in the attack.
Disu was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ojo Adekimi, due to the strategic proximity of the Oriire axis to border communities in Kwara State.
Also on the visit was the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, as part of efforts to strengthen school safety and coordinate response measures.
The police chief met with the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, alongside other security stakeholders, where he received operational briefings on ongoing rescue efforts and security deployments across the affected communities.
Also reacting, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, called for stronger community vigilance and closer cooperation with security agencies following the attacks on Yawota and Esiele communities.
Similarly, Hon. Olaminuwonlo Ayodeji Alao Akala visited Oko-Ile in Oriire Local Government on a condolence visit to sympathise with families and victims affected by the attacks.
Akala condemned the attacks, describing them as an assault on the educational system and a grave threat to public safety, while calling for intensified rescue efforts and stronger security measures across the area.
four motorcycles allegedly snatched from villagers.(3 motorcycle was snatched from Yawota community and 1 from community high school)
Moreover, the number of teachers missing/kidnapped were 7 (Seven) and students were 39 which in total 46 missing/kidnaped
The affected schools include Community High School Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The following teachers were reportedly abducted:
Mrs Alamu FOLAWE – Principal, Community High School
Mr Ojo JONATHAN – Vice Principal
Mr Olatunde Zacchaeus – Teacher
Mr John OLALEYE – Teacher
Mr Michael OYEDOKUN – Teacher
Mrs OLADEJI – Teacher
Mary AKANBI – Teacher, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School
The underlisted students/pupils were also abducted from different communities within Oriire Local Government:
Ahoro-Esinele Community
Rashida TAJUDEEN – 11 years
Ahmed RAMONI – 8 years
Abdulsalam TOYIB – 4 years
Baraka ABIOYE – 16 years
Fatimo JIMOH – 15 years
Hassan AZEEZ – 14 years
Joshua ADELEKE – 13 years
Yawota Community
Samuel OYEDELE – 7 years
Emmanuel OYEDELE – 4 years
Idowu TAIWO – 4 years
Christianah AKANBI – 2 years
Juwon SUNDAY – 7 years
Sikiru SALAMI – 3 years
Soliu SALAMI – 4 years
Ojo JOSEPH – 8 years
Lydia ADEWOLE – 8 years
Testimony JACOB – 5 years
Kehinde KAOSARA – 7 years
Sewa SEYI – 7 years
Waliya BELLO – 4 years
Lydia OLOHUNLOLUWA – 7 years
Damilare ODERINDE – 8 years
Deborah ADEBOWALE – 5 years
Aisha OGUNTOWO – 10 years
Lege TAIWO – 12 years
Balkis AYANWALE – 8 years
Asa David – 10 years
Oniya Community
Shuaibu ALIYU – 10 years
Ahmed ALIYU – 7 years
Muiz ALIYU – 5 years
Jomiloju OGUNLOLA – 6 years
Alawusa Community
Agune NOAH – 8 years
Elizabeth ABADI – 5 years
Tosin ABADI – 9 years
Pius STEPHEN – 5 years
Hannah OJO – 14 years
Habidat AYANWALE – 7 years
- Mary GABRIEL – 6 years
Jacob GABRIEL
Teachers 7
Students 39
