Abducted Oyo Teacher Beheaded, CAN Raises Alarm as Parents Keep Children Home Despite Makinde’s Reassurance
Oyedokun was among the teachers and pupils kidnapped during attacks on schools in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities last Friday. Fear spread further after a disturbing video allegedly showing his killing surfaced online.
The incident shocked many residents and triggered fresh concerns about the safety of rural schools.
Governor Seyi Makinde and the Federal Government have assured families that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims. However, many residents say the assurances have not eased their fears.
As a result, several parents kept their children at home yesterday. Academic activities also suffered as teachers staged peaceful protests and demanded urgent action from the government and security agencies.
The attacks have renewed concerns about child protection and safeguarding in schools. Many residents fear children are no longer safe in learning environments, especially in remote communities.
Before the reported killing of Oyedokun, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had condemned the abduction of pupils, teachers and school officials. The association described the attacks as “a horrifying collapse of security” and “a direct assault on the conscience of the nation.”
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said schools should never become places of fear.
“When children are hunted in their classrooms, silence becomes complicity and delay becomes dangerous,” the association stated.
CAN also said no teacher should risk abduction or death simply for going to work. According to the association, repeated attacks on schools could leave lasting emotional and psychological trauma on children, teachers and families.
The group further warned that insecurity was spreading into areas once considered safe in the South-West.
CAN therefore called on the Federal Government, security agencies and the Oyo State Government to act quickly. It urged authorities to rescue the abducted victims, improve school security and protect rural communities from armed groups.
Despite the reassurances from government officials, fear still hangs over Oriire communities as parents, pupils and teachers struggle to recover from the attacks.
