ABEOKUTA— Rescue efforts has intensified for the recently adopted pupils and teachers of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, in Oyo state.
The statement made by the Chairman of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Hon. Alabi Olateju Michael, which was made available to newsmen stated that security operatives are closing in on armed abductors, while assuring that efforts to secure the release of abducted pupils, students and teachers are ongoing.
Recall that three schools were attacked simultaneously on Friday morning, May 15, 2026, when armed bandits raided the remote community of Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area. The gunmen reportedly stormed the area on motorcycles and targeted Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, alongside two nearby primary schools.
The attackers were said to have moved swiftly from classroom to classroom, abducting the principal, teachers and dozens of pupils in what has since triggered a large-scale rescue operation and nationwide concern.
Speaking on Wednesday in an exclusive telephone interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, 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 the security operatives to secure the release of the abductees.
“They have been on ground since Friday and they have been surrounded. We have hope that soon they will be released”, he said
The council boss however acknowledged that the operation came at a cost, as some security personnel sustained injuries during early engagements with the armed group.
According to him, the attackers took advantage of the terrain, which is surrounded by forest reserves and rural settlements.
“You know we live in a farm-located area and we are surrounded by the reserve, so we have different people coming in herders and farmers from different places, particularly non-Yoruba speaking natives. We can’t be too suspicious, but regardless of that, we never saw it coming,” he said.
Alabi added that the area had previously experienced isolated security incidents, including attacks on local vigilante groups in neighbouring communities.
Responding to concerns over school vulnerability, particularly institutions without perimeter fencing, Alabi said government had already initiated reforms before the attack.
He said the Commissioner for Education in Oyo State, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, had directed that schools be fenced, alongside plans to clear illegal structures around school environments.
The chairman therefore added that public calls for increased armed protection in schools were being considered within broader security planning.
