Fear gripped residents of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State after suspected gunmen reportedly stormed Community High School in the Ahoro-Esinele community and abducted the school principal alongside several students.
According to reports, the attack happened on Friday morning between 8am and 9am while classes were ongoing. Witnesses said the armed men entered the school premises shooting sporadically, throwing students, teachers, and residents into panic.
The abducted principal was identified as Mrs. Rachael Alamu, while authorities said the exact number of students taken during the invasion was still being determined.
The Nigeria Police Force in Oyo State confirmed the incident through spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, who stated that security operatives had launched a rescue mission.
Police sources also disclosed that one teacher sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, although details about the victim’s condition were not immediately available.
Residents alleged that the attackers operated for several minutes before escaping through a nearby forest route. Community sources further claimed the gunmen fled with the principal’s vehicle, which was allegedly used to transport the victims out of the area.
The incident has heightened fears among parents and residents over worsening insecurity in rural communities, especially repeated attacks targeting schools and students across Nigeria.
Locals also criticized what they described as a delayed security response, blaming the situation on inadequate policing and the remote location of the community.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State reportedly ordered the deployment of tactical squads, patrol teams, and intelligence officers to track down the abductors and secure the victims’ release.
As of the time of this report, no arrests had been announced, and authorities had not confirmed whether the kidnappers had contacted families or demanded ransom.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
