Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has called on President Bola Tinubu to decisively tackle persistent terrorism in Nigeria or step down from office. This demand comes after bandits in Oyo state brutally executed a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was among several abducted victims.
Outrage Over Teacher's Execution
Oyedokun was one of the teachers kidnapped from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo state on Friday, May 15. Bandits also attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso. Elisha Olukayode Ogundiya, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo state, confirmed that 46 people, mostly children aged two to 16, were taken. The attacks left an assistant headmaster, Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist dead. The Oyo state government subsequently shut schools in four local government areas as security forces intensified rescue efforts.
A video allegedly released by the bandits on Monday, May 18, showed Oyedokun tied up and forced to speak before being killed. The footage sparked widespread outrage on social media and raised fresh concerns about the safety of remaining victims and the government's response.
Effiong's Call for Resignation
In a terse statement on Monday, May 18, Effiong, a known critic of the Tinubu administration, urged the president to take full responsibility as commander-in-chief to address the nation's security challenges decisively. He wrote on his verified X page: "Tinubu has no business remaining in office as President. The killings cannot continue unabated. Resign now!"
Government Response
Nigerian authorities condemned the attack and the killing of the teacher. President Tinubu described the incident as "barbaric" and stated that the federal government is working with the Oyo state government to rescue all victims. He added, "We expect a breakthrough soon." Six suspects, including alleged informants and logistics suppliers, have reportedly been arrested.
Mass kidnappings by armed groups remain a major security challenge in Nigeria, with criminal gangs exploiting weak security to target travellers, students, and rural communities for ransom. Schools are often targeted, though such attacks are relatively rare in the southwest.
US Deepens Involvement
Meanwhile, the United States is flying weapons into Nigeria as both countries intensify operations against suspected terrorist positions in the north. The US Air Force has reportedly made at least six flights into Nigeria to deliver heavy military equipment. Nigerian authorities stress that US forces are playing a strictly non-combat role. This increased American involvement is expected to strengthen the fight against insurgency through advanced weaponry and operational support.
Recently, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, alleged to be the second-in-command of ISIL (ISIS) globally, was killed in a joint operation by US and Nigerian forces. US President Donald Trump praised the mission on Truth Social on Friday, May 18: "Brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield." Trump also thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership. Tinubu confirmed the operation in a separate statement.
