An emotional scene unfolded in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where suspected Fulani terrorists reportedly abducted about 50 students, teachers, and minors, while also killing three men, including one who was allegedly beheaded in the bush.
Family members of the victims broke down in uncontrollable tears when Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, visited the communities to sympathise with them and assure them that the government was doing everything possible to secure the release of the abducted victims.
One of the most emotional moments during the visit was when Professor Lateef Oyewole Alamu of the Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and husband of Mrs. Folawe Alamu, the kidnapped principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, broke down in tears while pleading with the governor to intensify efforts to rescue his wife and the other victims.
The visibly distraught professor, who identified himself as the Dean of Natural Resources, knelt before the governor as he appealed passionately for urgent intervention.
“Governor, thank you for the efforts you have put into rescuing these victims. I pray you will not relent on this matter and that you will not grow tired until all the kidnapped victims are rescued from the kidnappers’ den.
“It is my wife the kidnappers have been using in the viral videos circulating online. It is very painful, heartbreaking and saddening,” he said amid tears.
Responding, Governor Makinde assured the grieving families that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, was working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the abducted students and teachers.
“Today, we visited Oriire Local Government Area to meet with the family members of the children and teachers who were abducted about two weeks ago. After listening to them, I assured them that we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure their safe return and that, by the grace of God, they will soon reunite with their loved ones,” the governor said.
Makinde described the situation as deeply painful, noting that the emotional breakdown of the kidnapped principal’s husband reflected the agony many families were currently experiencing.
“I want you to cooperate with us. We are doing everything humanly possible to get our children and teachers out safely. By God’s grace, we will bring them back.
“This is an ongoing operation with serious security implications, so I cannot say much more for now. But I encourage you to remain hopeful. I know you are bleeding emotionally, and I am also bleeding in my heart. Let us continue to pray and trust the government,” he added.
