What began as an ordinary school day on May 15, 2026, quickly turned into horror as armed men invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and Community Grammar School/L.A. Primary School, Esiele, killing an assistant headmaster, Mr. Adesiyan, and abducting teachers and pupils into nearby forest corridors.
Among the victims was mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, whose killing in captivity , later confirmed by Governor Seyi Makinde , sparked nationwide outrage after graphic footage of his beheading circulated online.
Even as families continue to search for missing relatives, fear has deepened following a fresh abduction involving an a woman and her twin boy, reportedly linked to the family of a former Minister of Power, raising concerns that armed groups are tightening their grip on rural communities through repeated strikes and forest escape routes.
A farmer, Micheal Ojo, whose four children, daughter-in-law and infant grandchild were among those abducted, said the attack changed his life forever.
“I wish I had never told them to go to school that morning. ” He said, recalling how gunmen marched victims into the forest.
Community leaders say the attackers operate with familiarity of the terrain. Akinlade Adekola alleged that the criminals blend into society before striking.
“They live among us… they are the okada riders and guards, waiting for instructions from their unit commanders,” he said.
The killings and abductions have triggered outrage across the state. Teachers in Ogbomoso staged a protest, carrying placards such as “Their deaths demand action” and “Nigeria has a security crisis, today, not tomorrow.”
One protester, Oluwadare Akanbi, said: “Teachers are still in captivity. A man was beheaded for going to work.”
In captivity, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Mrs. Alamu F.O., was seen pleading for help in a viral video alongside frightened pupils and a nursing mother abducted with her infant child.
“We have been here since Friday. Please help us. We need help. Tinubu, please help us. Our governor, Seyi Makinde, please help us. The children are here crying,” she said.
Public affairs analyst, Oladele Ogunsola, said the attack exposed long-standing security gaps in the Oriire axis, noting that warnings about suspicious movements around Old Oyo National Park were raised years earlier but not fully acted upon. He also called for urgent regional coordination among South-West states.
Another community leader, Pa Samuel Olawoyin of Ogbomoso, described the killings as a moral collapse.
“This is no longer just insecurity. It is organised cruelty,” he said.
Governor Seyi Makinde, confirming the scale of the attack, said seven teachers and 57 pupils were affected across the two schools, with one teacher killed. He assured that rescue operations were ongoing and urged restraint in public commentary.
“The operation is still ongoing. I will therefore appeal for responsible reporting,” the governor said.
He added that security agencies were working to ensure the safe return of abductees, while forensic analysis of videos linked to the attack was underway by the police command.
The governor also reiterated that the state would not surrender to criminal elements, adding that negotiations, where necessary, would still prioritise the safe release of the victims.
He said:, “Now, we are able to conclusively confirm that at the Community Secondary School, seven students were abducted, while at the First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted. In total, seven teachers were involved. Unfortunately, as I reported yesterday, one of them was killed.
The operation is still ongoing. It remains a very fluid and difficult situation for troops on the ground. I will therefore appeal for responsible reporting of the situation. This is not something to be sensationalised; it involves human lives. If you are unclear about anything, you can ask, and we will gladly provide information,” he said.
