- Balogun said she briefly sighted Kaosarat during the confusion before losing contact with her as the attackers stormed the schools
- Another resident, identified as Madam Agnes, also recounted the panic that followed the attack
- He called for urgent intervention and prayed for the safe return of all those abducted
An emotional appeal has emerged from Yawota community in Oyo State as families of children abducted during a recent school attack continue to await their release nearly two weeks after the incident.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that one of the victims’ guardians, Aduke Balogun, broke down in tears while pleading with authorities to rescue her ward, Kehinde Kaosarat, who remains among the pupils and teachers held captive by the attackers.
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Balogun spoke during a visit by members of the Oriire Youth Council to affected communities in Oriire Local Government Area, where residents, traditional rulers and grieving families gathered to discuss the impact of the attack.
A video from the visit, which circulated widely online after being shared on Facebook by Oriire ni tiwa, captured emotional testimonies from residents who witnessed the invasion.
Speaking in Yoruba, Balogun explained that she had moved to the community as a labourer and had taken responsibility for raising the child in the absence of her biological parents.
According to her, the day began like every other school morning before armed men suddenly invaded the area disguised in military uniforms.
She recalled that residents initially believed the armed men were security personnel visiting the schools until gunfire erupted across the community, forcing people to flee for safety.
Balogun said she briefly sighted Kaosarat during the confusion before losing contact with her as the attackers stormed the schools.
She appealed to the government to intensify rescue efforts, stressing that she had no relatives in the community and depended entirely on the safe return of the child.
Another resident, identified as Madam Agnes, also recounted the panic that followed the attack, saying villagers ran into surrounding bushes as gunshots rang out.
She explained that many residents believed they were escaping danger, only to later discover that neighbouring communities were also under attack.
Agnes added that the attackers reportedly killed a local youth near one of the schools before abducting pupils, teachers and other victims.
Traditional ruler of Esinele, Tajudeen Abioye, confirmed the scale of the attack, stating that several schoolchildren, teachers and a principal were taken away by the gunmen.
He called for urgent intervention and prayed for the safe return of all those abducted.
The attack occurred on May 15 when armed men riding motorcycles invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esinele, and L.A. Primary School within Oriire Local Government Area.
Among the victims was mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was later killed by the abductors, while the vice principal, Mrs Alamu Folawe, was also taken hostage.
Military authorities had earlier linked the attack to suspected JAS terrorists displaced from the North-East following ongoing military operations.
Reports also indicated that the abductors had established communication with the Oyo State Government while allegedly refusing to negotiate directly with families of the victims.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has dismissed online claims suggesting that the kidnapped pupils and teachers had regained freedom, describing the reports as false and misleading.
