One of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed by suspected bandits.
Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded in a disturbing video allegedly released by the kidnappers on Sunday.
The video, obtained by journalists on Telegram on Monday, showed the teacher tied up and forced to speak before he was gruesomely murdered.
The shocking incident has heightened fears over the safety of the remaining victims still being held captive by the abductors.
Residents of the community, families of the victims and concerned indigenes have continued to appeal to security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue efforts before more lives are lost.
Confirming the killing on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, said the governor sympathised with the family of the deceased teacher and assured that the government would continue using both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to rescue the remaining victims.
According to him, six suspects linked to the kidnapping incident have already been arrested.
Olanrewaju also expressed sympathy to the families of soldiers, Amotekun Corps operatives and local vigilantes who lost their lives during the rescue operation.
He explained that the security operatives died after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the abductors.
The governor’s aide added that injured security personnel were responding positively to treatment and assured that the government would provide adequate medical support for them.
He appealed to families of the abducted victims, religious groups and other stakeholders to remain patient as rescue operations continue.
“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly,” he said.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists.”
Makinde also disclosed that security agencies had recorded some progress in the investigation.
“Well, from the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality.
“Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists.
“Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested by another security outfit within the state,” he added.
The gunmen had invaded the school on Friday, May 15, abducting the principal, several teachers and some students.
The incident came weeks after a failed kidnap attempt along the Ibadan-Ijebu road that reportedly claimed the life of a traveller, further raising concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Oyo State and across Nigeria.
