May 16, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel
Fear and confusion swept through communities in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday after heavily armed gunmen invaded three schools, killed an assistant headmaster, and abducted several pupils and teachers in a coordinated daytime attack.
The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
Residents said the attackers stormed the communities around 9am on motorcycles shortly after academic activities had begun, firing sporadically as terrified teachers and pupils fled for safety.
During the invasion, the Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, identified as Joel Adesiyan, was reportedly shot dead while attempting to escape through a window.
An okada rider was also said to have been killed after unknowingly riding into the scene during the attack.
Sources within the community revealed that the attackers abducted the principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs Rachael Alamu, alongside several teachers and an undisclosed number of pupils, including kindergarten children.
Eyewitnesses described the operation as highly coordinated, with the gunmen moving swiftly from one school to another and creating panic across the communities.
Residents further disclosed that the attackers reportedly used the principal’s vehicle to transport some of the abducted victims before abandoning and setting the vehicle ablaze after it developed faults while escaping through difficult terrain.
Confirming the incident, the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, lamented the absence of a nearby police station, revealing that security operatives arrived nearly two hours after the attackers had fled into nearby forest areas around the Old Oyo National Park axis.
Following the attack, security operatives including soldiers and police tactical teams launched a rescue operation across surrounding forests.
The described the incident as a dark moment for the education sector and announced the temporary closure of schools in Oriire and neighbouring local government areas to prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, the confirmed the killing of the assistant headmaster and the motorcyclist, while efforts continue to rescue abducted victims and track down the attackers.
The incident has triggered fresh concerns over insecurity and attacks on schools in parts of Nigeria.
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