Panic gripped parts of Oyo State on Friday after suspected terrorists invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, killing an assistant headmaster, abducting pupils and teachers, and throwing the affected communities into confusion.
The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
Residents described the incident as one of the most brazen attacks on school communities in recent times, as the armed men reportedly operated for several minutes without resistance.
The attackers were said to have stormed the communities around 9:00 a.m., shortly after school activities commenced, shooting sporadically and forcing pupils, teachers and residents to flee into nearby bushes.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and moved from one school to another in what appeared to be a coordinated operation.
“They came in large numbers and started shooting immediately. Everybody ran for safety. They moved between the schools within a short time,” a resident said.
During the attack, the Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Mr. Joel Adesiyan, was reportedly shot dead while attempting to escape.
Another resident said the deceased was trying to climb through a window when he was hit by gunfire.
The incident also claimed the life of a commercial motorcyclist, who was reportedly caught in the crossfire while passing through the area.
Sources within the community disclosed that the attackers abducted the Principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, alongside five teachers and an unspecified number of pupils.
“The assistant head teacher was trying to escape through the window when he was shot. The principal, some teachers and several pupils were taken away,” another resident said.
Residents expressed fears that the number might be higher, particularly from the secondary school.
It was gathered that the attackers used the principal’s vehicle to convey some of the abducted victims out of the community before abandoning and setting it ablaze after it reportedly developed a fault.
“The schools are close to one another, so the attack affected all of them almost at the same time. They used the principal’s vehicle to move some victims, but the car later broke down and they burnt it,” a source said.
The incident triggered widespread panic in the area, with many residents fleeing their homes over fears of further attacks.
Security operatives, including the police and military, have since launched a joint search-and-rescue operation in the affected communities and adjoining forests.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ayodeji Abimbola, was said to have led a team of tactical officers to the area shortly after the attack as efforts intensified to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
