Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed the killing of Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded in a fresh video allegedly released by the bandits on Sunday.
A disturbing video that surfaced online on Monday showed the teacher being brutally murdered after he was tied up and compelled to speak.
The shocking video has sparked renewed fears over the safety of the remaining abducted victims.
The latest incident has plunged the community into grief as residents, relatives of the victims and indigenes continue to urge security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts aimed at rescuing those still being held captive before more lives are lost.
Confirming the teacher’s killing, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, said in a statement on Monday that the governor sympathised with the victim’s family and assured that the government would deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to rescue the remaining captives.
He further disclosed that about six suspects linked to the abduction had been arrested.
He also expressed sympathy to the families of members of the tactical military team, Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes who died during the rescue mission.
According to him, the operatives lost their lives after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by the kidnappers.
He added that the injured security operatives were responding well to treatment and assured that the government would provide adequate care for them.
He appealed to the families of the victims, religious organisations and other concerned individuals to remain patient, assuring them that the government was committed to reuniting the victims with their loved ones.
“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly.
“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,” he stated.
Makinde, however, stated that the government had recorded some progress in the operation, with a number of persons already arrested in connection with the incident.
“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 said.
According to media reports, the gunmen stormed the school on Friday, May 15, abducting the principal alongside other teachers and several students.
The incident, which occurred weeks after a failed kidnap attempt that claimed the life of a traveller along the Ibadan-Ijebu road, has again heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Oyo State and across Nigeria.
