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One of the teachers abducted from a school in Oyo State has been killed by his captors, with a video circulating on social media showing him being beheaded, the state governor has confirmed.
Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area, was killed in a video allegedly released by bandits on Sunday, according to Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
Suleimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, said in a statement on Monday that Makinde extended condolences to the victim’s family.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” Olanrewaju quoted the governor as saying.
In a separate viral video, the abducted principal of Community High School, Esiele Alamu F.O., pleaded for help from the government, saying, “We have been here since Friday. I’m making this video to ask for help from everyone, starting from the federal government, Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, Christian Association of Nigeria, and all well-meaning Nigerians.”
The abducted Principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oriire LGA, Oyo State, says staff and students taken during the Friday school attack remain in captivity, as she appealed for urgent help in a video recorded by her abductors. pic.twitter.com/AHfv9JUuJT
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) May 17, 2026
Six suspects arrested
Olanrewaju said security forces have arrested about six individuals in connection with the kidnapping.
“Well, from the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality. Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists,” Olanrewaju said.
He added that “three individuals of interest” have also been arrested by another security outfit within the state.
The government also sympathised with the families of security operatives who lost their lives during rescue efforts.
He said soldiers, Amotekun Corps members and local vigilantes died after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors.
Wounded security personnel are responding positively to treatment, and the government will spare no cost in their care, Olanrewaju said.
The government appealed to victims’ relatives, religious bodies and other interested parties to exercise patience.
“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly,” he said.
