OYO SCHOOL ABDUCTION: VIRAL FOOTAGE OF SCHOOL PRINCIPAL DEEPENS ANXIETY OVER CAPTIVES’ FATE

A viral video showing the abducted principal of Community Grammar School Esiele, Alamu Folawe, pleading for urgent rescue has heightened public anxiety over the recent school attack in Oyo State.

The attack occurred in Oriire Local Government Area, where armed assailants invaded three schools — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School — abducting several pupils, students, teachers and school officials.

Authorities also confirmed the killing of an assistant headmaster, identified as Mr Adesiyan, alongside an okada rider during the coordinated assault.

In the widely circulated video, Mrs Folawe appeared distressed as she appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and ensure the safe release of those abducted.

According to her, the attackers stormed the schools on Friday morning and abducted both staff and students.

The emergence of the video has intensified concerns as security agencies continue search-and-rescue operations across the forest areas believed to be used by the kidnappers.

Reacting to the development, the Oyo State Police Command said it had commenced forensic analysis of the viral footage to verify its authenticity and gather intelligence that could assist rescue efforts and investigations.

Police authorities stated that the video examination could help identify the perpetrators and track their movements, while also cautioning the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.

Earlier, the Oyo State Government disclosed that the abductors had been “locked in” within parts of the Old Oyo National Park after security operatives sealed possible escape routes leading to neighbouring states.

However, the circulation of the video has raised fresh questions over whether the victims remain within the restricted forest area or may have been moved elsewhere by the abductors.

Chairman of the Oyo Global Forum, Taiwo Hassan Adebayo, said security operatives believe the armed group is still hiding within the vast Old Oyo National Park terrain, which provides cover for criminal groups.

Security agencies have yet to officially confirm the exact location where the video was recorded as investigations and rescue operations continue.