Oyo school abduction: ‘I’m the only one she has,’ guardian begs govt to rescue kidnapped pupil

Families of pupils and teachers abducted during the recent terrorist attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have continued to appeal to government authorities for urgent intervention, 14 days after the incident.

One of the victims’ guardians, Aduke Balogun, made an emotional plea during a condolence and solidarity visit by the Oriire Youth Council to affected communities in Esinele and Yawota.

A video from the visit, shared on the Facebook page Oriire ni tiwa, surfaced online on Friday and drew widespread reactions from Nigerians.

Balogun, who described herself as a hired worker with no relatives in the community, said she was solely responsible for caring for her ward, Kehinde Kaosarat, who was among those abducted during the attack.

“I am the father of the child and the mother of the child. Her parents are not here. Me too, I have no one. I came here as a hired worker,” she said tearfully.

Recounting the incident, she explained that residents initially believed the attackers were security personnel because they were dressed in military uniforms.

“In the morning, we bathed our children and they went to school. After 9am, we saw some people dressed like soldiers. We thought they were visitors,” she said.

According to her, panic erupted moments later after gunshots suddenly rang out across the community.

“Before we knew it, we started hearing gunshots. Everybody started running around. Nobody was around,” she added.

Balogun said she briefly saw Kaosarat during the confusion before losing sight of her completely.

“Please help me. We are visitors. We are begging the government. We know they are working, but they should help free our children,” she pleaded.

Another resident, identified as Madam Agnes, also narrated how parents and residents fled into nearby bushes as the attack unfolded.

“Shortly after 9am, the children resumed school. The bandits who were dressed as soldiers passed and we thought they were visitors. Suddenly, we started hearing loud gunshots,” she said.

“Nobody stayed. Everybody started running. Nobody stopped to wait for the children.”

Agnes disclosed that the attackers had already killed a youth in Yawota before residents fled toward Esinele, unaware that the assailants had spread across the area.

“Please, we are begging. They are small children,” she cried.

The traditional ruler of Esinele, the Elesinele of Esinele, Tajudeen Abioye, confirmed that several pupils, teachers and school officials were abducted during the attack.

“What happened is that kidnappers entered this town on Friday. They abducted our children, teachers and the principal,” the monarch said.

He appealed for divine intervention and urgent government action, adding, “God should please have mercy on us and should not let us be known for bad things.”

The attack occurred on May 15 when armed men riding motorcycles stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esinele and L.A. Primary School in Oriire LGA at about 9:30am.

Several pupils, students and school staff were abducted during the invasion.

Among the victims was mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was later reportedly killed by the abductors. A video of the killing was later circulated online. The vice principal, Mrs Alamu Folawe, was also kidnapped.

The Defence Headquarters later identified the attackers as suspected JAS terrorists displaced from insurgent enclaves in the North-East.

Authorities disclosed that the abductors had opened communication with the Oyo State Government but insisted they would only negotiate directly with Governor Seyi Makinde rather than families of the victims.

Meanwhile, Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro, has dismissed viral social media claims that the abducted victims had been rescued, describing the reports as false and misleading.