By The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, has confirmed that 32 persons, including pupils, students, and teachers, are still being held captive following the recent attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He disclosed this on Tuesday, May 19, during a short interview on The Morning Brief programme on Channels Television.
“As of now, we have information that 7 students, 18 pupils, and 7 teachers are still missing,” he said.
Speaking further, Mr Ayanlade explained how the coordinated attacks were carried out on Friday, May 15, at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, as well as Community Grammar School and L.A Primary School in Esinele.
According to him, the attackers, numbering about 12, stormed the communities on motorcycles and launched simultaneous attacks on the schools at about 9:30 a.m.
“The incident happened on the 15th at about 9:30 in the morning in Yawota and Esinele communities, both in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The attackers came in on motorcycles and simultaneously attacked the schools. One of the locations had both primary and secondary schools, while the other was a private Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota,” he said.
He added that the gunmen abducted 18 persons from the Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota.
Mr Ayanlade also revealed that the vice headmaster, Mr Adesiyan Joel, and a commercial motorcycle rider who were killed during the attack were trailed by the gunmen before being murdered.
According to him, the attackers abandoned their motorcycles and fled with the motorcycle belonging to the commercial rider. He further disclosed that the abductors took the principal of one of the schools, Mrs Alamu, into the forest with her vehicle, which was later burnt.
“On the other side, at Esinele community, they abducted the principal, Mrs Alamu, and took her vehicle into the forest where it was eventually burnt,” he added.
The police spokesperson said that immediately the incident was reported, the Commissioner of Police directed the Area Commander in Ogbomoso, the Divisional Police Officer, tactical teams, Nigerian Army personnel, and Amotekun operatives to move into the forest in search of the victims and the attackers.
He noted that the operation by the kidnappers lasted only a short while because the schools were located close to a deep forest terrain, making immediate confrontation difficult.
“If they were sighted immediately, any exchange of fire would have to be handled carefully; it must not even happen because we would not want to jeopardise the lives of the captives,” he explained.
When asked about reports surrounding the alleged death of a mathematics teacher, Mr Oyedokun, seen in a viral video, Mr Ayanlade said the police were still conducting forensic investigations to verify the authenticity of the footage.
“We’re still examining the video and investigating its authenticity. He was identified as the mathematics teacher, but what we see on the surface is not enough. We are also in contact with the family,” he said.
He reassured residents that the police would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those behind the attack are arrested and prosecuted.
