By Peace Udugba
Government Area of Oyo State, Hon. Alabi Olateju Michael, has disclosed that security operatives are closing in on the armed abductors behind the recent attack on schools in the Esiele community, assuring residents that efforts to rescue the kidnapped pupils, students and teachers are ongoing.
Recall that three schools were attacked simultaneously on Friday, May 15, 2026, when armed bandits invaded the remote Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area. The gunmen reportedly stormed the area on motorcycles and targeted Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, alongside two nearby primary schools.
The attackers were said to have moved from classroom to classroom, abducting the principal, teachers and dozens of pupils in an incident that has since triggered nationwide outrage and a large-scale rescue operation.
Speaking during an exclusive telephone interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Wednesday, the council chairman described the incident as shocking but insisted that coordinated security operations had been underway since the day of the attack.
“It is a shocking incident, but efforts are ongoing with security operatives to secure the release of the abductees,” he said.
“They have been on ground since Friday and the kidnappers have been surrounded. We are hopeful that the victims will be released soon.”
Alabi acknowledged that the operation had come at a cost, noting that some security personnel sustained casualties during initial confrontations with the armed group.
According to him, the attackers exploited the difficult terrain of the area, which is surrounded by forest reserves and remote settlements.
“You know we live in a farming area surrounded by forest reserves, so we have different people coming in — herders and farmers from different places, particularly non-Yoruba-speaking natives. We can’t always be suspicious, but regardless of that, we never saw this coming,” he stated.
The chairman added that neighbouring communities had previously experienced isolated attacks on local vigilante groups, particularly in Shepeteri and parts of Oke-Ogun.
“Before now, they attacked some local vigilantes in Shepeteri and Oke-Ogun. We knew they were operating around those areas, but this attack still came as a shock,” he said.
Amid growing public anxiety, Alabi dismissed reports suggesting that insecurity had spread to neighbouring Ogbomoso, insisting that schools and other activities in the area remained safe and operational.
On Tuesday, panic erupted in parts of Ogbomoso, Ajaawa and neighbouring communities after videos circulated on social media showing students fleeing classrooms over fears of a suspected bandit invasion.
However, security authorities later clarified that the incident was not linked to any armed attack. According to the police, the confusion was caused by the presence of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer and two civilians seen within a school premises, which triggered panic among students and residents.
Authorities urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of escalating tension in already sensitive communities.
“Schools are still in session in Ogbomoso. There was no attack there. Some people are spreading rumours to create panic. Oriire is far from Ogbomoso,” Alabi explained.
The council boss also confirmed that senior government officials had visited affected communities and families as part of ongoing intervention efforts.
He disclosed that the Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. Toyin Balogun, had paid condolence visits to families of victims, while the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, had been deployed to the area to coordinate response efforts alongside security agencies.
“As chairman of the local government, I have been there constantly. I just left a meeting where we arranged supplies for security personnel in the forest. Our governor has also sent the deputy governor to the area. They have visited wounded soldiers and vigilantes. It is all hands on deck, and these efforts will yield results,” he said.
Alabi further revealed that the attackers arrived on motorcycles before forcing the abducted victims to trek through difficult terrain after allegedly burning a vehicle belonging to one of the teachers.
“What we heard was that they came with motorcycles and later seized a teacher’s car to transport the victims. They eventually burnt the car when they reached an area that was not motorable and then forced the victims to walk,” he explained.
He confirmed that both pupils and school staff were abducted, including very young children.
“The older students are around 16 years old, while some of the younger children are as young as two years old,” he disclosed.
The chairman also confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, is currently in Oriire overseeing operations, while security presence has been strengthened across surrounding communities and forest corridors.
“As I speak, the IGP is in Oriire, and all neighbouring towns and communities have been secured,” he said.
He assured residents that although the initial attack caused widespread panic, security operatives had intensified surveillance to prevent further incidents.
“The first attack was unexpected, which caused panic, but there is no reason for fear now. Security personnel are on ground to ensure that nothing like this happens again,” he added.
Alabi also confirmed that three persons were killed during the attack, including a motorcycle rider, a teacher and a mathematics teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun.
According to him, Oyedokun was reportedly killed and beheaded while in captivity in what authorities believe was an attempt by the abductors to intimidate advancing security forces.
The incident has continued to generate outrage across the country, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemning the killing as barbaric and assuring Nigerians that all abducted victims would be rescued.
Responding to concerns about the vulnerability of schools, especially those without perimeter fencing, Alabi said the Oyo State Government had already begun implementing reforms aimed at improving school security.
He disclosed that the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, had directed that schools be fenced and that illegal structures and kiosks around school premises be removed to improve visibility and security monitoring.
Security agencies are yet to officially disclose the exact location of the abductors, but ongoing operations are believed to be concentrated within forest areas linked to the Old Oyo National Park.
Alabi’s comments align with earlier remarks by Professor Wole Alamu, husband of one of the abducted principals, who also assured Nigerians that rescue efforts were ongoing and expressed confidence that the victims would return safely.
