Some residents of communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are reportedly fleeing their homes following the abduction of pupils and teachers in the LGA on Friday.

The bandits also beheaded one of the teachers. The video of the dastardly act has gone viral. 

A viral video on Tuesday showed a near-empty scene of Yawota, one of the affected communities, as residents packed out of the town.

A woman, identified as Habibat Azeez, said many residents had deserted the town, noting that only a few people were left.

Ms Azeez appealed to the government to assist in ensuring the safe release of the 32 children abducted in the community’s school.

“They carted away 32 children here in Yawota. Many are fleeing, with only a few of us left. They abducted our children and took our belongings. They kidnapped our kids. The government should rescue us and have mercy,” Ms Azeez said.

“They have been sending videos of our wife to us. They should not kill her. They sent the video of who they killed to us. If they want us to leave our town for them, they should tell us. They should not kill our children,” she added.

In another viral video, an elderly woman, in distress, alongside other women, also appealed to the government to assist in rescuing the affected victims, particularly the children.

“They should have mercy. These children should be returned to us. They should come home. They should have mercy on us,” the elderly woman said.

The Peoples Gazette previously reported that two communities, Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele in the Oriire Local Government Area, were invaded by suspected gunmen last Friday.

The suspects abducted seven teachers and several pupils during the attack.

A viral video on Monday showed that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was murdered and beheaded by the suspects.

In a press briefing on Monday, the state Governor Seyi Makinde, said that his administration was ready to address the possible demands the abductors might seek.

“Whatever it is the demand, we are ready to address them. We will address the one we can as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released timely,” the governor said.