Revealed: How terrorists moved Oyo schoolchildren into forest

The senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari, has revealed how kidnappers who abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State transported their victims into the forest, tying as many as eight children together on a single motorcycle.

Buhari disclosed the details while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, describing the ordeal as terrifying and heartbreaking.

According to the senator, the heavily armed abductors used motorcycles to move the victims into the forest while recording videos of the operation.

“When they were taking the children away, they would tie six, seven or eight children together. One person would sit in front on the motorcycle, while another armed with a machine gun sat behind. It was a terrifying situation. They were even recording themselves and releasing the videos,” Buhari said.

A total of 49 people, including schoolchildren, teachers, and a toddler, were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele, both communities located within Oyo North Senatorial District.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15 and have remained in captivity since then.

The incident took a tragic turn when one of the victims, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers. The remaining hostages, including the children, are said to be enduring harsh conditions in captivity.

The abduction has sparked nationwide outrage and prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to commence an indefinite strike on June 1, demanding the immediate rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.

In response to the security crisis, President Bola Tinubu approved the deployment of 1,000 forest guards to support ongoing rescue operations and strengthen surveillance across vulnerable forest corridors.

Providing an update on rescue efforts, Buhari said security agencies have narrowed down the area where the kidnappers are believed to be hiding, with police and military helicopters conducting surveillance missions over the forest.

“It is quite unfortunate. It was terrifying, and since then, police and army surveillance helicopters have been patrolling the area. They’ve narrowed down the location where these people are,” he said.

The senator explained that security agencies must proceed cautiously because of the large number of children being held hostage.

According to him, suggestions that authorities deploy incapacitating substances against the kidnappers could have fatal consequences for the young victims.

“Some people are suggesting the use of sleeping powder. But among those children are two-year-olds, three-year-olds and four-year-olds. If such substances affect them, they may never wake up again. What are you rescuing then?” Buhari asked.

“Parents simply want their children and loved ones back safely. If a child dies during a rescue operation, how do you explain that to the mother? That is why the security agencies have to be tactical and thoughtful.”

Despite the challenges, Buhari expressed confidence in the efforts of security agencies, saying they are doing everything possible to secure the safe release of the victims.

Oyo Abduction Different From Chibok Incident — Buhari

The lawmaker also argued that the abduction in Oyo differs significantly from the infamous kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State and other recent mass school abductions in Niger State.

He said the emotional impact of the incident has been devastating for families and residents of the affected communities.

“When we saw one of the mothers crying, it brought tears to everyone’s eyes. The situation in Esiele is different. It is even different from the Chibok girls’ case. Imagine someone simply going about his morning routine in Yawota and being mistaken for someone chasing the kidnappers. He was shot in the head,” Buhari said.

He reiterated the need for continued support for security agencies as efforts intensify to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.