Oyo School Kidnap: Govt Under Pressure As Abductors Demand Ransom
Suspected gunmen who abducted 39 students and seven teachers in Ahoro Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are now said to be in touch with the state government for a ransom of an undisclosed amount.
The incident has left teacher Michael Oyedokun reportedly beheaded.
The continued delay in the release of the victims, it was gathered, has led their families to mount pressure on the federal and state governments, just as the Seyi Makinde administration has vowed to deploy resources to get the victims returned alive.
This came as the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee, NWC, led by Kabiru Turaki, yesterday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture following recent bandit attacks in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Similarly, Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, yesterday disclosed that he is still awaiting approval from the Federal Government to formally commence operations of his security outfit, Iru Ekun Security Network, as part of efforts to flush out criminal elements from forests across the South-West.
Multiple sources said that the kidnappers have demanded ransom for the release of their victims.
The sources disclosed that indirect negotiations are ongoing, adding that the amount demanded by the abductors was being kept as a top secret.
It was further gathered that security agencies have deployed a police helicopter to be on standby in what a source described as “an area of interest”, just as Military jets are said to be making daily sorties over the forests.
Efforts to secure the release of kidnap victims are being coordinated by the Oyo State Government, Police, Military and Department of State Service, DSS.
Asked whether the kidnappers have mentioned a specific figure, the source said: “The latest on kidnappers is that they have made a demand, but the amount is still being kept under wraps. Indirect negotiations are ongoing.”
Another source disclosed that “families of victims are continuing to mount pressure on the Oyo State Government to meet the kidnappers’ demand.”
Giving details on efforts by the state government and security agencies, the source said: “Police helicopter is on standby; military jets fly sorties over the forests daily.
“Oyo State government, Police, Military, DSS are coordinating efforts to secure the release of the kidnap victims.”
Another source, however, assured that the “state government will not spare resources just to get the victims back. “Human lives are more important than money and ego.”
Also, the family of the beheaded school teacher, late Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, yesterday, demanded the recovery of their son’s remains for proper burial.
The family, in a letter to President Bola Tinubu through their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said: “We write to formally bring to the attention of President Bola Tinubu the tragic kidnapping, brutal murder and beheading of the late Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, one of the abducted teachers of Community High School, Ohoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State by suspected terrorists on May 15, 2026.
“Despite widespread national outrage regarding the death of the late Mr Olugbade, his remains are yet to be seen or recovered. In this circumstance, we respectfully appeal for your urgent intervention to direct the relevant security and intelligence agencies towards locating and recovering his body, so that his family may be afforded the solemn opportunity to conduct a dignified burial and rescue other victims still in captivity.”
Following recent bandit attacks in the Oriire council area, Senator Wabara and members of the PDP interim NWC, led by Mr Turaki, yesterday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture.
The delegation met behind-closed doors with Governor Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, where they discussed the security situation in the state and expressed concern over the incidents.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the visit was to commiserate with the state government and people of Oyo State over the recent attacks.
He said: “The leadership of the PDP, including members of the NWC, the Interim National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees (BoT), came to commiserate with the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incidents that recently occurred in Oriire Local Government and some parts of Ibadan.
“We believe the issue of security is fundamental and must be taken very seriously. We are aware of the efforts the governor has consistently made to ensure the safety of the people of Oyo State and to protect lives and property across the state.
“Seeing incidents like these happen despite the enormous resources the governor has committed to security is deeply concerning, especially as the election period approaches.”
He also urged the Federal Government to urgently reform the country’s security structure, describing the current arrangement as ineffective.
“Our message to the Federal Government is that Nigeria’s security architecture urgently needs to be overhauled. This has become long overdue.
“It is contradictory for a governor to be referred to as the Chief Security Officer of a state while having no direct control over the security agencies operating within that state.
“You cannot imagine a situation where a governor convenes a Security Council meeting, decisions are taken, and yet the Commissioner of Police or military commanders must still seek clearance from Abuja before acting. By the time approvals are obtained, significant damage may already have been done.”
