Oyo School Attack: Political Group Claims 39 Children, Seven Teachers Abducted, Releases List

Fresh details have emerged about the mass abduction of pupils, students and teachers from schools in Oyo State, with a political group claiming that at least 46 persons, comprising 39 children and seven teachers, were kidnapped during the attack.

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The victims were reportedly abducted when armed men stormed communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, attacking schools and surrounding villages before fleeing into nearby forests.

A political group, TYF Political Action Committee (TYF PAC), disclosed the latest details in a post on X, revealing that the abductors also allegedly snatched four motorcycles from villagers during the operation.

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According to the group, three motorcycles were taken from Yawota community while another was stolen from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.

The group identified the affected schools as Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

Among the abducted teachers was the principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu Folawe, who had earlier appeared in a disturbing video from captivity pleading for government intervention.

Other abducted teachers were identified as Mr. Ojo Jonathan, the Vice Principal of Community High School; Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus; Mr. John Olaleye; Mr. Michael Oyedokun; Mrs. Oladeji; and Mary Akanbi, a teacher at Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

TYF PAC also released the identities of dozens of abducted pupils and students from Ahoro-Esinele, Yawota, Oniya and Alawusa communities.

Those abducted from Ahoro-Esinele Community were identified as Rashida Tajudeen, 11; Ahmed Ramoni, 8; Abdulsalam Toyib, 4; Baraka Abioye, 16; Fatimo Jimoh, 15; Hassan Azeez, 14; and Joshua Adeleke, 13.

The victims from Yawota Community were listed as Samuel Oyedele, 7; Emmanuel Oyedele, 4; Idowu Taiwo, 4; Christianah Akanbi, 2; Juwon Sunday, 7; Sikiru Salami, 3; Soliu Salami, 4; Ojo Joseph, 8; Lydia Adewole, 8; Testimony Jacob, 5; Kehinde Kaosara, 7; Sewa Seyi, 7; Waliya Bello, 4; Lydia Olohunloluwa, 7; Damilare Oderinde, 8; Deborah Adebowale, 5; Aisha Oguntowo, 10; Lege Taiwo, 12; Balkis Ayanwale, 8; and Asa David, 10.

Children abducted from Oniya Community were listed as Shuaibu Aliyu, 10; Ahmed Aliyu, 7; Muiz Aliyu, 5; and Jomiloju Ogunlola, 6.

Meanwhile, victims from Alawusa Community were identified as Agune Noah, 8; Elizabeth Abadi, 5; Tosin Abadi, 9; Pius Stephen, 5; Hannah Ojo, 14; Habidat Ayanwale, 7; Mary Gabriel, 6; and Jacob Gabriel.

The latest disclosure comes amid growing outrage over the attack and circulation of videos showing abducted victims appealing for help from captivity.

In one of the videos earlier obtained by SaharaReporters, Mrs. Alamu, visibly distressed, said the attackers invaded the school on Friday morning and took both staff and students into the forest.

“I am Mrs. Alamu. I am the principal of Community High School in Oyo State. On Friday, around 9:30, we were attacked by a certain group of people, and a good number of us were abducted,” she said.

“The staff and the students as well, and we have been here since Friday.”

She appealed to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigerians to intervene before lives were lost.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command said it had commenced forensic analysis of the viral video circulating online in connection with the abduction.

Speaking with SaharaReporters during a WhatsApp conversation, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said authorities were yet to confirm the exact number of abducted children.

“I do not have confirmation on the numbers of children abducted and as for the teacher, 6 are reportedly missing,” he told SaharaReporters.

In a separate statement made available to SaharaReporters, the police spokesperson said the video was undergoing “comprehensive forensic examination” to determine its authenticity and support ongoing rescue operations.

“The footage is presently undergoing comprehensive forensic examination to determine its authenticity and further aid ongoing investigations, rescue operations, as well as the identification and arrest of the perpetrators behind the heinous act,” the statement read.

The police assured residents that intensive intelligence-driven operations involving multiple security agencies were ongoing to secure the release of the victims.

“To this end, intensive operational, intelligence-driven, and tactical efforts in collaboration with other security agencies are ongoing to secure the victims unharmed and bring all those responsible to justice,” the statement added.

The command also urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information capable of creating panic.

“Members of the public are equally advised to refrain from sharing unverified information, misleading contents, or materials capable of heightening tension and creating unnecessary panic,” the police warned.

The latest incident has further heightened concerns over worsening insecurity and repeated attacks on schools in parts of Nigeria despite government assurances on the safety of educational institutions.

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