Fear and sorrow have continued to spread across parts of Oyo State following the deadly attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele community of Oriire Local Government Area, where armed terrorists invaded learning centres, killed a teacher and abducted several pupils and school staff in a horrifying assault that has left residents traumatised.
The tragic incident, which happened during school hours, threw the entire community into confusion as heavily armed attackers stormed the area, shooting indiscriminately and forcing terrified pupils, teachers and residents to flee for safety. Reports indicated that the gunmen moved through multiple schools in a coordinated operation, targeting both primary and secondary institutions while residents watched helplessly as children and teachers were taken away into the bush.
The attack reportedly claimed the life of a mathematics teacher, whose gruesome killing has intensified panic and grief across the affected communities. Eyewitnesses said the teacher was among those abducted before news later emerged that he had been killed by the terrorists. Another school official and a commercial motorcyclist were also reported dead during the chaos that followed the invasion. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Parents and residents described the incident as one of the most traumatic experiences the area has witnessed in recent years. Several mothers were said to have broken down in tears after discovering that their children were missing, while many families have remained in fear over the safety of their loved ones. Witnesses revealed that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and were dressed in military-style camouflage, causing some residents to initially mistake them for security personnel before gunshots suddenly rang out across the communities.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing of the teacher and disclosed that seven teachers were abducted during the attack. He assured residents that the state government was working round the clock with security agencies to rescue the victims and restore calm to the affected communities. According to the governor, joint security operations involving the military, police, Amotekun Corps, hunters and local vigilantes had already been launched to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of those still in captivity.
Makinde also revealed that some security operatives suffered casualties during rescue operations after encountering improvised explosive devices allegedly planted by the terrorists. He noted that one Amotekun operative was critically injured while several soldiers and local security personnel sustained wounds during the mission. The governor added that the government would take full responsibility for the treatment of injured operatives while maintaining pressure on criminal groups operating within the region.
Security agencies have since intensified investigations into the attack, with authorities confirming the arrest of several suspects believed to be informants and logistics suppliers for the terrorists. Officials said the arrests were made within the affected locality as efforts continue to uncover the network behind the assault.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the growing insecurity affecting schools and rural communities in different parts of Nigeria. Residents of Ahoro-Esinele and neighbouring communities have continued to live in fear, with many parents reportedly withdrawing their children from schools over concerns of another possible attack. Authorities have also ordered the temporary closure of schools in surrounding local government areas as a precautionary measure while security operations continue.
