On May 15, a devastating attack by heavily armed terrorists unfolded in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, targeting Baptist Nursery and Primary Schools, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School across the Esiele and Yawota communities. This coordinated assault resulted in the abduction of approximately 46 pupils and teachers. The tragic incident also claimed the lives of an assistant head teacher and a commercial motorcyclist, with reports indicating one teacher was later beheaded and another captive marked for execution following a failed rescue attempt.

The abduction sparked immediate and widespread outrage across Nigeria, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters. Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, vehemently condemned Nigerian politicians, labeling them as “heartless and satanic.” He criticized the nation’s security system and accused religious bodies like CAN and PFN of failing to hold the government accountable. Primate Ayodele specifically targeted President Bola Tinubu, declaring he had “failed woefully” on security and should abandon any second-term ambition if the abducted children died in captivity. He also admonished Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for attending a political rally during the crisis and criticized pastors on government payroll for their silence.

Calls for action intensified from human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who threatened to “Occupy Aso Rock” if President Tinubu and security chiefs failed to secure the victims’ swift release. The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its spokesman Olawale Sadare, lashed out at Governor Makinde, accusing him of