Tears In Oyo As Slain Teacher Is Buried Amid Lingering School Kidnap Crisis

Residents of Ogbomoso in Oyo State were thrown into mourning on Friday May 22 as burial rites commenced for Adesiyan Adegboye, the teacher killed during last week’s coordinated attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the State.

Global Mirror News gathered that Adegboye, 49, was laid in state at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, before his final interment at his residence in the Owolake area of the town.

The late teacher was reportedly killed when armed bandits stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, during a broad daylight attack that led to the abduction of several teachers and students.

The attack, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. last Friday, sparked widespread fear across Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities, forcing many parents to withdraw their children from schools over security concerns. Some schools were also temporarily shut amid rumours of possible further attacks.

Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School during the coordinated invasion. The governor also confirmed that one person was killed in the attack.

Following the worsening security situation, the Oyo State Government announced the indefinite suspension of school excursions, field trips, sporting competitions and all activities requiring students to move outside school premises.

In a circular issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, school administrators across the State were directed to prioritise the safety of pupils and staff while reporting suspicious activities around school environments to Security Agencies.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had deployed additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support ongoing rescue operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted victims.

Security Agencies have also reportedly arrested several suspects believed to be linked to the attack, while investigations into the incident continue.

The tragic incident has continued to generate outrage across the Country, with community leaders, religious groups and concerned Nigerians calling for urgent action to curb the rising wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools in the South-West region.