By Wellington Jopelo
Fear gripped several communities in Oyo State after heavily armed attackers stormed three schools in Orire Local Government Area, killing a senior school official and abducting pupils, teachers and residents during a coordinated morning raid.
The attackers reportedly invaded the affected communities on motorcycles while schools were already in session, causing panic as gunshots forced students and teachers to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
Among the schools targeted were Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School, where an assistant headmaster identified as Joel Adesiyan was reportedly shot dead during the attack.
Residents said the gunmen moved rapidly from one school to another within minutes, creating confusion across the area as parents rushed to rescue their children while many victims remained unaccounted for hours after the invasion.
Local sources also disclosed that a commercial motorcyclist was killed after allegedly resisting attempts by the attackers to seize his motorcycle during the operation.
Following the incident, security agencies launched a rescue operation across Oriire and surrounding communities, while the Oyo State Government temporarily shut schools in affected areas over fears of further attacks.
Authorities later announced that schools in four local government areas would reopen after additional security personnel were deployed to restore calm and strengthen surveillance around vulnerable communities.