Terrorists Attack Three Oyo Schools, Kill Teacher, Abduct Pupils and Principal

Panic swept through parts of Oyo State on Friday after armed terrorists launched coordinated attacks on three schools in Orire Local Government Area, killing a school administrator, abducting pupils and teachers, and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.

The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, all located within neighbouring communities in the local government area.

Residents described the assault as one of the most brazen attacks on educational institutions in the area in recent years, with the gunmen reportedly operating openly in broad daylight and moving from one school to another with little resistance.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers stormed the communities around 9am on motorcycles shortly after morning assembly had commenced in the schools.

Witnesses said the assailants, believed to be heavily armed, fired sporadically as they entered the communities, causing panic among teachers, pupils and residents.

“They came in large numbers on motorcycles and started shooting immediately. Everybody ran,” a resident said, explaining that the attackers struck multiple schools within minutes.

The Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was shot dead during the attack while reportedly attempting to escape through a window.

His killing has sparked grief across the local education community, where colleagues described him as a committed and dedicated teacher.

During the chaos, an unidentified commercial motorcyclist was also killed after unknowingly riding into the scene and becoming trapped in the gunfire.

The attackers reportedly abducted the principal of Community Grammar School, Rachael Alamu, alongside at least five teachers and several pupils.

As of Friday night, authorities had yet to confirm the exact number of students taken away by the assailants.

Community sources said the attackers moved swiftly between classrooms and school compounds before escaping toward nearby forested areas.

Residents disclosed that the gunmen used the principal’s vehicle to transport some of the abducted victims before abandoning and setting the car ablaze after it reportedly developed mechanical problems while navigating difficult terrain.

The traditional ruler of the community, Tajudeen Abioye, confirmed the attack and said the assailants arrived on eight motorcycles carrying two armed men each.

According to the monarch, the attack occurred while community leaders were holding a town hall meeting nearby.

“We suddenly heard gunshots and people started running in different directions,” he said, adding that even kindergarten pupils were among those abducted.

The monarch also lamented the absence of a nearby police station, stating that security operatives reportedly arrived nearly two hours after the attackers had fled.

His comments have renewed concerns over weak security infrastructure in many rural communities across Nigeria, especially areas bordering forests frequently used by armed groups.

Following the attack, the terrorists reportedly escaped into forest reserves around the Old Oyo National Park axis, prompting a joint security operation involving the police and military.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Abimbola, was said to have led tactical teams to the area shortly after the incident.

Military personnel and other security operatives were also deployed to comb the surrounding forests in search of the abductors and the kidnapped victims.

The attack adds to growing concerns over rising insecurity in parts of the country, particularly attacks targeting schools and rural communities.

In recent years, mass kidnappings involving students have become a major security challenge in Nigeria, with armed groups increasingly targeting schools for ransom and leverage.

Security analysts warn that repeated attacks on schools threaten education access in vulnerable communities and deepen fear among parents and teachers already struggling with insecurity.