Abducted Oyo vice principal appeals for help in captivity

By Adejayan Gbenga

An abducted vice principal in Oyo State has appealed for urgent intervention following the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area by armed men who abducted students and staff members.

The victim, identified as Mrs Alamu of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, made the appeal in a distress video released from captivity on Sunday.

In the video, she called on the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria and other Nigerians to assist in securing the release of the victims abducted during the attack.

According to Mrs Alamu, the victims had remained in captivity since the incident occurred on Friday night when gunmen invaded the schools.

She appealed for peaceful negotiations, urging authorities and stakeholders to act swiftly to ensure that the abducted staff and students returned home safely.

The attack reportedly occurred during coordinated assaults on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, as well as Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, both in Oriire Local Government Area.

The Oyo State Police Command earlier confirmed that gunmen riding motorcycles stormed the schools and abducted several pupils, students and staff members, including the vice principal, while an assistant headmaster identified as Mr Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist were killed during the attack.

Security agencies have since intensified rescue operations in the affected communities, with the Oyo State Government also ordering the reopening of schools in Oriire and neighbouring councils after deploying additional security personnel to the area.