Oyo Kidnap Horror: Governor Makinde Seeks UN Probe as Principal Reveals Shocking Killings

On May 15, a day that began routinely ended in chaos for teachers and pupils of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as armed men attacked and abducted them. For 56 harrowing days, the victims, including school principal Rachael Alamu, were held captive, enduring fear, uncertainty, and repeated threats to their lives in the bush.

Principal Alamu recounted the kidnappers' psychological tactics, stating they repeatedly told the victims that the government had abandoned them, aiming to break their spirit. In a desperate bid to pressure the government into meeting their demands, the abductors tragically killed two of their captives. According to Alamu, a victim identified as Mr. Michael was killed on the second day of captivity, and another, known as Deacon, was killed on the first Sunday in June. Governor Seyi Makinde later identified these victims, along with others, as Joel Adesiyan (killed on the day of the abduction), John Olaleye, and Michael Oyedokun (who died in captivity).

Upon regaining their freedom after a security operation, the victims discovered the widespread public concern and prayers for their safe return. Principal Alamu expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, the various security agencies involved in the rescue operation, and all Nigerians who prayed for them during their ordeal, acknowledging that while they bore scars, they held hope for healing.

The victims were rescued after a month-long, multi-agency operation that led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, according to the Presidency. President Tinubu confirmed that no ransom was paid and no prisoner exchange took place. Major General Chinedu Nnebuife, General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, detailed the complexities of the rescue. A search team comprising troops, hunters, local vigilantes, and Amotekun was deployed into the thick forest. Despite the use of drone teams and Nigerian Air Force support, aerial and drone surveillance failed to locate the victims due to the forest's density, necessitating a sustained ground operation. The operation expanded to include personnel from the National Counter Terrorism Unit, Defence Headquarters Special Forces, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, Civil Defence, NIA, local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun. Security agencies also tracked gang members and associates in states like Adamawa and Kano to increase pressure on the kidnappers.

Following the rescue of 44 victims, Governor Seyi Makinde called for an independent investigation into the abduction by international human rights and accountability bodies, including those within the United Nations system. Speaking after receiving the rescued individuals, Makinde emphasized that the investigation was crucial to establish the truth, restore public confidence, and ascertain whether there were institutional failures, negligence, or collusion. He stressed that this call was not political but about justice for the victims and reassurance for the populace that every Nigerian child could attend school without fear.

Governor Makinde thanked President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the nation’s security agencies for their robust response to the incident. He acknowledged the severe trauma endured by the victims, stating that their recovery would take time, as