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Families of teachers and schoolchildren abducted by terrorists in Oyo State two weeks ago have rejected cash and bags of rice reportedly brought by government officials as consolation gifts, insisting that their priority is the safe return of their loved ones.
The Baale of Yawota, one of the affected communities, Emmanuel Alade, told News Central that government representatives who visited the area to sympathise with residents were turned away when they offered relief materials and money.
“When the government officials came, they came with rice and money, but the parents rejected it,” Alade said.
“The women who are government officials on Governor Seyi Makinde’s team came to console us. They brought rice and money, but the parents said they did not want it. They said what they wanted was for their children to be released.”
Alade recounted that he noticed unfamiliar individuals passing through the community shortly before the attack.
“On the day the incident happened, I was sitting here when I saw them pass by, but I did not know them. Not long after, we started hearing gunshots. People said bandits had entered the community and everyone ran away,” he said.
“The person who went to meet them was killed, and that was how the students were taken away. Little children were abducted while the gunmen kept shooting.”
According to the traditional ruler, community members later alerted the police, who subsequently visited the area.
The attack occurred on May 15 in Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted more than 30 students aged between two and 17, along with seven teachers from three schools. An assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist were killed during the assault.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde visited the affected communities on Saturday and assured families that security agencies were working to secure the victims’ release.
A Nigerian Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, also visited Esiele and Yawota communities on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
The delegation, which included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, assured residents that all available resources were being deployed to rescue the victims.
