The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) on Friday said an unspecified number of pupils were allegedly abducted and a teacher killed by suspected gunmen in Ahoro-Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area of the state. 

The incident was announced in a Facebook post by OYOSUBEB chairman, Nureni Adeniran, who described the attack as “dark, unfortunate and painful.”

“The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, OYOSUBEB, expresses profound sorrow and deep concern over the unfortunate attack on LA School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire LGUBEA, which resulted in the killing of a teacher and the kidnapping of some pupils,” Mr Adeniran stated.

The OYOSUBEB chairman stated that the accurate number of pupils abducted in the course of the attack could not be ascertained.

He added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

“As we speak, the accurate number of pupils kidnapped is yet to be ascertained, as security agencies continue to comb the affected areas and establish full details of the incident,” he said.

The SUBEB chairman assured that security operatives, personally led by the state’s commissioner of police, Abimbola Olugbenga, were working towards rescuing the victims.

“We understand the fear and anxiety this situation has caused, and we want to assure our parents and stakeholders that the safety of our children remains our utmost priority,” Mr Adeniran said.

“I, Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, Executive Chairman of OYOSUBEB, in collaboration with the Honourable Commissioner for Education, wish to reassure the public that security operatives, under the direct coordination of the commissioner of police, are fully on top of the situation,” he added.

He noted that the agency had directed that all primary schools located near the affected communities, including Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire, and Olorunsogo, be closed until further notice.

“We understand your fears. But we want to reassure you, your children will not be abandoned, and this government will not rest until every child is safely returned,” he said.

The chairman called on members of the public to cooperate with concerned authorities, stay vigilant and avoid sharing unverified information that might cause further panic.

Contacted for comments, the Oyo State Police Command spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, did not answer repeated calls and texts sent to his mobile.