Gunmen have launched an attack on Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting a secondary school principal and several students during a morning assault on Friday.
The incident reportedly occurred between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at Community High School in Ahoro-Esinele, where armed attackers stormed the school premises and took away students whose exact number is still unknown, along with the school principal identified as Rachael Alamu.
A resident of the community said the attackers also shot a teacher during the raid, though the severity of the injury has not been confirmed. The gunmen reportedly escaped into a nearby forest reserve with the abducted principal in her vehicle.
Community members noted that the distance of the nearest police station contributed to delays in immediate response to the attack.
The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) described the incident as a tragic moment for the state’s education sector, confirming that a teacher was killed and pupils were abducted.
The Board’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, expressed sorrow over the attack, describing it as a devastating loss for the education community and extending condolences to affected families.
He said security agencies have launched search-and-rescue operations, adding that efforts are ongoing to determine the exact number of abducted pupils and ensure their safe return.
Adeniran further stated that tactical response teams have been deployed, while intelligence operations continue under the coordination of the Commissioner of Police to restore calm and rescue the victims.
The spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the attack but said the number of abducted victims is still being verified as investigations continue.
Police authorities also confirmed that senior officers, including the Commissioner of Police, are already on their way to the affected area to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts.
