Oyo school abductors have opened communication channels as fear spreads across communities over kidnapped pupils and teachers

Suspected terrorists who abducted pupils, toddlers and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly opened communication channels with the state government as fear and uncertainty continue to grip affected communities.

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Highly placed sources told Saturday PUNCH that the Oyo school abductors refused to negotiate directly with the families of the victims, insisting instead on speaking only with the state government.

“They said they only want to talk to the governor and nobody else. That was the condition they gave for negotiation. So, nobody knows the details and what they are demanding,” one source disclosed.

The victims, including children aged between two and three years, were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on schools in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa communities last Friday.

Although it could not be independently confirmed whether Governor Seyi Makinde was personally involved in the discussions or acting through representatives, sources familiar with the situation described the development as a fragile breakthrough.

“It is not that security agencies don’t know what to do. But the risks are too high. The relief is that at least now, they are talking,” another source said.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro, were unsuccessful.

“I can’t give any information at the moment,” Fagbenro said in a brief response.

Fear Deepens Over Safety of Children

The kidnapped victims have now spent eight days in captivity, intensifying concerns among parents, teachers and community leaders.

Residents fear the worsening weather conditions and difficult terrain may further endanger the children and teachers reportedly being moved through forests to evade security operatives.

A community leader in the area, who declined to be identified, described the situation as heartbreaking.

“We are worried about their safety. We don’t know how they are faring. Children of two-year-old are among the abductees,” the source said.

The attacks have triggered widespread panic across schools in Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities including Ikose, Ikoyi, Tewure and Dananu, where attendance has dropped sharply.

Several teachers told Saturday PUNCH that many parents had withdrawn their children from school over fears of another attack.

A teacher at Ikose Primary School said classrooms across both private and public schools had remained largely empty since the abductions occurred.

The teacher also recalled a frightening incident earlier in the week when students at Areago Grammar School reportedly mistook local hunters in nearby bushes for terrorists, triggering chaos and a deadly stampede.

“One of the pupils was knocked down by a vehicle around the Owode area of Ogbomoso, and he died instantly. His mother also died from shock after hearing about the death of her son,” the teacher said.

Another teacher in Tewure said several parents contacted her before the start of the school week to inform her that their children would remain at home indefinitely.

“Since Monday till now, the number of pupils in my school has reduced seriously,” she said.

Teachers Describe Growing Trauma

The killing of two teachers during the crisis has further deepened fear among education workers in the area.

While former Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan was killed during the initial attack, another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in captivity.

A teacher identified simply as Oyeyemi described the emotional toll on staff as devastating.

“To be honest, we are traumatised. Some teachers are already discussing whether to stop going to remote schools for now,” she said.

“When you hear that a fellow teacher was killed and another was beheaded, you will understand the level of panic.”

The emotional atmosphere intensified on Friday as mourners gathered in Ogbomoso for the burial of Adesiyan.

The funeral service at Ayegun Baptist Church drew government officials, union leaders, church members and grieving relatives demanding justice and the safe return of those still held captive.

Representing Governor Makinde, Permanent Secretary Michael Ojelabi assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the abductees.

“The state government is sad about the incident, and the government is doing all within its capacity to ensure that those in captivity are returned unhurt,” he said.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State, Fatai Hassan, described Adesiyan as a dedicated and peace-loving educator whose death had left a painful void.

Family Mourns Beheaded Teacher

The family of slain teacher Michael Oyedokun also spoke publicly about the tragedy, revealing that he died childless despite being married for over a decade.

Family spokesman Ebeni Adediran described the late teacher as humble, hardworking and deeply committed to education.

“The most painful part is that he did not leave any child behind,” Adediran said.

“They had been married for more than 10 years and despite all their efforts, no child came out of the marriage.”

The family also appealed to Nigerians to stop circulating disturbing videos and photographs allegedly showing Oyedokun’s final moments, warning that the images were worsening their grief.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, blamed misleading social media content for escalating public fear and panic.

“Bloggers are posting videos to aggravate the situation, even when the videos are false,” Oyelade said.

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The commissioner insisted that the government remained committed to restoring calm and strengthening security around vulnerable communities and schools.