Abducted Oyo school principal, teacher appear in distress videos (Video)

Disturbing videos showing a school principal and a teacher abducted during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have surfaced on social media, heightening concerns over the safety of dozens of kidnapped victims.

Gunmen had on Friday stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all within Oriire LGA, in a brazen daytime operation that left communities in shock.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed that two persons were killed during the attacks, while at least 45 schoolchildren and teachers were reportedly abducted.

In one of the circulating videos, Alamu F.O., identified as the principal of Community High School, Esiele, narrated how armed men invaded the school around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, rounding up staff members and students.

“We have been here since Friday. I’m making this video to ask for help from everyone, starting from the federal government, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Christian Association of Nigeria, and all well-meaning Nigerians,” she said in the footage.

“Come to our help and settle this thing peacefully so that our lives will not be lost,” she pleaded.

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The video, apparently recorded in a forest location, shows the principal speaking under duress, with visible vegetation in the background, suggesting the victims are being held in a remote area.

In another trending clip, a woman carrying a child on her back identified herself as Temitope, a staff member of First Baptist Church, Yawota. Speaking tearfully, she recounted how gunmen attacked the Baptist school and abducted teachers and pupils.

“Please help us. We need help. Tinubu, please help us. Our governor, Seyi Makinde, please help us. The children are here crying. Please help us so that we won’t waste our lives,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed that the kidnappers had reportedly been trapped in a section of the Old Oyo National Park, raising hopes of a possible breakthrough in ongoing rescue operations.

Security agencies are said to be intensifying efforts in the area as families of the victims and residents continue to demand swift intervention to secure the safe return of the abducted teachers and children.

The emergence of the videos has further deepened anxiety across the state, with calls mounting on both the federal and state governments to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed and to strengthen security around schools and rural communities.