Reports from multiple correspondents across Abuja, Lagos, Minna, Lokoja, and Ado Ekiti indicate that fear and uncertainty continue to dominate communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after coordinated attacks on three schools in Ahoro-Esin-Ile, Yawota, and Alawusa on May 15. Survivors and families of victims have been recounting their traumatic experiences.
One of the survivors, Aminat, a student, narrowly escaped when gunmen invaded her school during an examination. Speaking to filmmaker and media personality Chude Jideonwo, she described how a routine school day suddenly descended into chaos as gunshots echoed across the premises.
According to her, students fled into nearby bushes in panic, while even teachers abandoned the scene. In the confusion, many pupils scattered, and it was later discovered that her elder brother was among those missing after extensive searches by the family proved futile.
Residents reported that the attacks occurred simultaneously in the affected communities, catching both families and school authorities off guard. The aftermath was marked by abandoned school materials—books, bags, and personal belongings—left scattered across classrooms, particularly at the Baptist school in Esin-Ile.
Parents have since been overwhelmed with grief and fear. One of them, Mama Muheez, revealed that her eight-year-old son, Abdulraman, was abducted. She lamented the emotional toll of the incident, saying she has been unable to eat or sleep. She added that her other children are too frightened to return to school.
Tragedy deepened when a local resident, Shuaibu Adigun, was killed during rescue efforts after stepping on explosives allegedly planted by the attackers along access routes. His brother disclosed that the deceased, who worked with the national park, left behind a wife and children.
Community members believe the attackers escaped through routes linked to the old Oyo National Park. The incident has left the area deeply traumatised, with many schools yet to resume normal activities. Local leader Yekini Abioye described the attack as unprecedented, noting that residents remain too fearful to send their children back to school.
Another resident, Sarah Aina, recounted how one of her twin children was abducted during an examination. She appealed to the government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
In response, President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-level federal delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to the affected communities. Other members included the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the President’s media adviser. The delegation conveyed the president’s concern and commitment to ensuring the safe return of the abducted victims.
As part of immediate security measures, the president approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and directed specialised security units to intensify rescue operations. Requests for a military base in the area are also under consideration.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed public school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike starting June 1, 2026, until all abducted teachers and students are rescued. The union also announced nationwide solidarity protests.
In a separate development, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested five suspected arms couriers linked to a previous school attack in Niger State, recovering rifles and ammunition. Investigations revealed their involvement in supplying weapons to terrorist groups.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu reassured Nigerians that the government is working with international partners to tackle insecurity and expressed confidence that the situation would improve. Traditional rulers in Ekiti State, however, called for stricter anti-kidnapping laws and the establishment of state police to address the growing threat.
Elsewhere, the Niger State Government confirmed the abduction of a medical doctor, while troops in Kogi State successfully foiled a planned kidnapping, killing one suspect and recovering weapons.
Additionally, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged the United Nations to place Nigeria’s worsening insecurity before the Security Council. On the domestic front, a civic group, Democracy Watch Frontiers, warned against politicising security challenges, accusing some actors of exploiting the situation for political gain.