By Prosper Mene
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has appealed to Nigeriaโs First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to intervene in the ongoing abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State.
In a statement on Friday, May 29, 2026, NANS urged the First Lady to leverage her influence and ongoing state visit to Ekiti State to push for the immediate and safe release of the victims kidnapped from schools in Ahoro Esienle community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The abduction occurred on May 16, 2026, when armed gunmen launched coordinated attacks on three schools: Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, and another primary school in the area. The attackers abducted approximately 39 students (including young pupils as young as two years old) and seven teachers.
One of the abducted teachers, a mathematics instructor identified as Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed and beheaded by the kidnappers. President Bola Tinubu condemned the killing as โbarbaric and unacceptableโ and assured that security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims.
NANS South-West leadership expressed solidarity with the affected families and students, describing the continued captivity as unacceptable. The group called on the First Lady to use โthe influence and moral authority of her officeโ to draw national attention to the plight of the victims, accelerate rescue operations, and advocate for better protection of schools nationwide.
The studentsโ body also announced plans to stage a solidarity protest and advocacy rally in Oyo State on Monday, June 1, 2026, to demand urgent action from security agencies.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has been providing regular updates on the situation. Security forces, including tactical teams from the police and intelligence response units, have been deployed, with operations extending into neighbouring Kwara State forests. Several suspects believed to be informants or logistics providers for the kidnappers have been arrested.
President Tinubu, while marking Childrenโs Day, reiterated that the abducted children and teachers โare not forgottenโ and pledged intensified coordinated rescue efforts alongside stronger protection for schools in vulnerable areas.
As of Friday, the victims remain in captivity amid ongoing search operations complicated by terrain and weather conditions. Families continue to await their safe return.
NANS affirmed its commitment to supporting all lawful efforts to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers.
