Tension and sorrow have gripped several communities in Oyo State following the abduction of 46 residents, including schoolchildren and teachers, during a deadly terrorist attack on communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
Among those reportedly kidnapped is two-year-old Christianah Akanbi, a pupil of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, whose abduction has sparked widespread concern among residents.
According to community leaders who spoke on the incident, the mass abduction occurred during coordinated attacks carried out last Friday by heavily armed assailants suspected to be terrorists.
The affected communities include Ahoro-Esinele, Yawota, Oniya, and Alawusa, where residents were reportedly attacked and several victims forcefully taken away.
Community sources disclosed that the abducted victims include seven teachers and 39 pupils from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, as well as Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The attackers were also said to have stolen four motorcycles belonging to residents during the invasion. Three of the motorcycles reportedly belonged to residents of the Yawota community, while another was taken from a resident in the high school area.
Among the teachers abducted were the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Mrs Alamu Folawe, alongside the school’s vice principal, Mr Ojo Jonathan, and several other staff members.
The abducted teachers also include Mr Olatunde Zacchaeus, Mr John Olaleye, Mr Michael Oyedokun, Mrs Oladeji, and Mary Akanbi, a teacher at Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
The list of kidnapped children includes several minors between the ages of two and 16 years.
Victims from Ahoro-Esinele Community reportedly include Rashida Tajudeen, Ahmed Ramoni, Abdulsalam Toyib, Baraka Abioye, Fatimo Jimoh, Hassan Azeez, and Joshua Adeleke.
From Yawota Community, abducted victims include Samuel Oyedele, Emmanuel Oyedele, Idowu Taiwo, Christianah Akanbi, Juwon Sunday, Sikiru Salami, Soliu Salami, Ojo Joseph, Lydia Adewole, Testimony Jacob, Kehinde Kaosara, Sewa Seyi, Waliya Bello, Lydia Olohunloluwa, Damilare Oderinde, Deborah Adebowale, Aisha Oguntowo, Lege Taiwo, Balkis Ayanwale, and Asa David.
Victims from Oniya Community include Shuaibu Aliyu, Ahmed Aliyu, Muiz Aliyu, and Jomiloju Ogunlola.
Meanwhile, residents abducted from Alawusa Community were identified as Agune Noah, Elizabeth Abadi, Tosin Abadi, Pius Stephen, Hannah Ojo, Habidat Ayanwale, Mary Gabriel, and Jacob Gabriel.
The attack has heightened fears among residents, especially parents whose children remain in captivity.
Community leaders are reportedly calling on security agencies and the government to urgently intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of the victims.
The incident also adds to growing concerns over insecurity and attacks on schools and rural communities across parts of Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom and armed assaults continue to threaten lives and disrupt education.
