Gunmen stormed Community High School in Ahoro‑Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Friday morning, abducting the school’s principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, and an undetermined number of students. The attack unfolded between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., when armed assailants entered the school compound, forced their way into classrooms and seized several pupils before fleeing the scene.
A teacher was shot during the raid; the extent of the injury has not been confirmed. Witnesses said the gunmen used the principal’s vehicle to escape, disappearing into a forest reserve that borders the community. Residents complained that the response from security forces was delayed, citing the distance to the nearest police station as a contributing factor.
CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, confirmed that investigators are still establishing the exact number of victims taken. He added that the Commissioner of Police, together with a tactical response team, has been dispatched to Ahoro‑Esinele to assess the situation, secure the area and coordinate rescue efforts.
The incident follows a series of school‑targeted attacks in Nigeria’s southwest, raising concerns about the vulnerability of educational institutions in rural communities. Authorities have pledged to intensify patrols and improve rapid‑response capabilities, but community leaders stress the need for a sustained security presence to deter future incursions.
As the investigation proceeds, families of the abducted students and school staff await further information on their whereabouts. The Oyo State Police have urged anyone with relevant details to come forward and have assured the public that all available resources are being mobilised to resolve the case.
The episode underscores the broader challenge of protecting schools in conflict‑prone regions and highlights the urgency of coordinated security measures to safeguard education in Nigeria.
