Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo North Senatorial District, has disclosed disturbing details about the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. He revealed that the kidnappers tied as many as eight children together on a single motorcycle while transporting them into the forest.
Details of the Abduction
Buhari, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recounted the incident while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday. He stated that the abductors, armed with machine guns, escorted the children and teachers deep into the forest while recording videos of the operation.
“When they were taking the children away, six, seven or eight children, they would tie them back to each other. One person would be in front of the Okada, another one would be at the back of the Okada with a machine gun. You can see that terrifying situation. And they were videoing themselves and releasing it,” he said.
Victims and Impact
Forty-nine people, including school children, teachers, and a toddler, were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele. The two communities are located in the Oyo North Senatorial District. Armed men abducted the victims on 15 May, and they have remained in captivity since then.
Tragically, one of the victims, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, was beheaded by the kidnappers. The children and other hostages are reportedly facing harsh conditions in captivity.
National Response
The incident has sparked nationwide concern, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to commence an indefinite strike on 1 June to demand the immediate rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers. In response, President Bola Tinubu approved the deployment of 1,000 forest guards to support ongoing security operations aimed at securing the release of the victims and strengthening surveillance across vulnerable forest corridors.
Security Operations
Senator Buhari confirmed that security agencies have identified the general area where the kidnappers are hiding. Police and military helicopters have been conducting surveillance operations over the forest. “So it’s quite unfortunate. It was terrifying, and since then, the police and army surveillance helicopters have been patrolling the area. Despite this, there are certain things I would say. But they’ve narrowed the place they are,” he added.
Challenges in Rescue Efforts
The senator noted that while some people have suggested using incapacitating substances to neutralize the kidnappers, such an approach could endanger the lives of the children. “The issue now is that some people are saying they should put a powder. Probably the powder will make them sleep. Two years, three years, four years, children who are there, if they put that powder and they sniff it, they may not wake up again. So what are you rescuing? All that these people want is their kids back or their husbands back.
“If they use sleeping powder, some of the two-year-old kids, they may not be able to wake up again. So, what will you tell the mother? You rescued 75-year-old guy or 65-year-old guy and you are telling me that my own son is gone. So, that’s the reason why they have to be tactical. We have to be thoughtful,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the efforts of the security agencies, saying they are doing everything possible to secure the safe release of the victims.
Comparison with Chibok Abduction
Buhari emphasized that the Oyo abduction is different from the Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping in Borno State and recent school kidnappings in Niger State. “When we saw that woman, no matter who you are, the moment the woman was crying, the way she was behaving, you would come to tears. The situation in Esiele is different. It’s even different from the Chibok girls. Imagine somebody doing his own morning job, carrying somebody from Yawota. It’s a five-minute drive with an Okada N50, and they thought he was chasing them and was shot on the head,” he said.
