- ‘FG, Nigerians Please Help Us’ — Abducted Oyo School Principal Speaks From Captivity
- Reports Of Siege On Expressway Untrue – Oyo Govt
Fear and anxiety have continued to spread among commuters and residents along the Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway following renewed reports of armed robbery attacks and kidnappings allegedly carried out by heavily armed bandits operating around the Oriire Local Government axis of Oyo State.
Travellers, commercial drivers and residents who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER described the once-busy highway as increasingly unsafe, with many motorists now avoiding night journeys over fears of abduction and violent attacks.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the growing panic comes amid the disturbing wave of insecurity linked to recent kidnapping incidents in Oriire local Government Area, particularly the attack on schools in Ahoro-Esinle community where gunmen abducted pupils, teachers and school officials after invading the area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attack was coordinated across at least three schools in the area, including Community High School Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School Yawota, and L.A. Primary School.
According to detailed field report, about 45 to 48 pupils and staff were abducted in total, with victims taken from multiple classrooms and staff quarters during the raid.
The situation took a more emotional dimension after one of the abducted school principals reportedly appealed for help from captivity, pleading with both the Federal Government and Nigerians to intervene urgently for their rescue.
According to local sources, the abductors have continued to mount pressure on families and communities, heightening tension across affected areas.
- Commuters, Travellers in Fear
Security concerns escalated further after reports emerged that armed men had allegedly mounted and ambushed travellers along sections of the Oyo/Ogbomoso corridor, dispossessing victims of valuables before whisking some away into nearby forests.
Residents alleged that the attackers often exploit dense forest routes linking Oyo, Kwara and Niger states, making it difficult for security operatives to effectively track their movements.
A commercial driver who regularly plies the Ibadan-Ogbomoso route told OSUN DEFENDER that many transport operators had become increasingly apprehensive about using the expressway after dusk.
“People are genuinely afraid now. Once it starts getting late, many drivers prefer to stop and continue their journey the following morning. The fear is everywhere because these criminals attack suddenly and disappear into the forest,” he said.
Another commuter described the atmosphere around the Oriire axis as tense following repeated reports of kidnappings and attacks within surrounding communities.
“The school attack shocked everybody because nobody expected such a thing in that part of Oyo State. Since then, rumours of attacks on the expressway have increased panic among travellers,” the resident stated.
The growing insecurity has reignited concerns about the expanding operations of armed criminal groups in parts of the South-West previously considered relatively secure.
Last week, gunmen reportedly attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, alongside Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinle, abducting several pupils and staff members.
The attack reportedly left at least two persons dead, including a teacher and a motorcycle rider, while the assailants allegedly escaped through forest routes after setting a vehicle ablaze.
- ‘FG, Nigerians Please Help Us’— Abducted Oyo School Principal
The principal of Community High School Esiele, Mrs. Alamu F.R, has cried out for help from captivity following the abduction of students and staff members of the school by suspected kidnappers in Oyo State.
In a video uploaded on X by dammiedammie35, and obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the visibly distressed principal appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure their release before lives are lost.
Speaking in the video, Mrs. Alamu said the attack occurred on Friday at about 9:30 a.m. when armed men invaded the school premises in Esiele, located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“I am Mrs Alamu F.R, I am the principal of Community High School Esiele in Oriire local government of Oyo state. On Friday, around 9:30 we were attacked by certain group of people and a good number of us were abducted. The staff and students as well and we have been here since Friday,” she said.
The principal further pleaded with authorities and religious bodies to urgently come to their rescue through peaceful means.
“I am making this video to ask for help from everyone starting from Federal Government of Nigeria, and Oyo State government under Engr Seyi Makinde, the Christian Association of Nigeria and all well-meaning Nigerians that they should come to our help and settle this people peacefully so that our lives will not be lost,” she added.
The incident has reportedly thrown the community into panic as residents and parents await official updates on the condition and possible rescue of the victims.
Following the incident, the Oyo State Government ordered the temporary closure of schools across Oriire, Olorunsogo, Surulere and Oyo East local government areas in a bid to prevent further attacks and allow security agencies stabilise affected communities.
- Reports Of Siege On Expressway Untrue – Oyo Govt
However, amid widespread reports and rumours suggesting that bandits had taken over parts of the Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway, the Oyo State Government dismissed claims that the highway was under siege.
Also, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, visited the affected communities over the weekend, promising to capture the criminals in no distant time.
Government officials maintained that although there had been isolated security breaches and criminal incidents, security agencies remained firmly in control of the area.
The state government also assured residents and travellers that tactical operations had been intensified across vulnerable communities and major road corridors.
Meanwhile, security presence has reportedly been strengthened along sections of the expressway, with tactical police units, military personnel and local vigilantes increasing patrols in vulnerable areas.
The Oyo State Police Command had confirmed that tactical teams and intelligence assets were deployed following the school attacks, while rescue efforts for abducted victims remain ongoing.
