Terrorists Kill Teacher and Abduct 45 Students in Oyo State School Attack as Seyi Makinde Announces His Presidential Candidacy

A wave of shock and grief has swept through Oyo State after a devastating terrorist attack that left a teacher dead and 45 schoolchildren kidnapped from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has sparked widespread outrage and a frantic rescue operation, even as a troubling political conspiracy theory gains traction online.

According to eyewitnesses, a large group of heavily armed men dressed in military camouflage descended on the communities around 8 am, firing indiscriminately to cause panic. The attackers, who arrived on six motorcycles and communicated in a mix of Yoruba, Hausa, and Pidgin English, targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School. A teacher, Elizabeth Olagoke, recounted the terrifying moments the gunmen entered her classroom. “I pleaded with them, and one of them ordered that I should be released,” she said, adding that the attackers attempted to pursue her as she fled. Distraught parents have spoken of their helplessness, with one mother, Serah Oguntunde, describing how she watched the kidnappers escape with her 13 year old daughter. “There were many children inside the vehicle alongside the gunmen. We later heard that the vehicle was burnt after they left the area,” she lamented.

The crisis has deepened with the emergence of a video allegedly released by the abductors, showing the kidnapped school principal and a teacher making a desperate plea for their lives. In the emotional recording, the principal of Community High School, identified as Mrs. Alamu F.O., directly appealed to the Federal Government, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and all well-meaning Nigerians for help. In an even more gruesome development, a separate video has surfaced that reportedly shows the beheading of a kidnapped teacher named Michael Oyedokun by his captors, raising fears over the fate of the remaining hostages.

Abducted women from the Oyo School Terrorist Attack calls for help

I thought yorugbas said fulani can be killing them? pic.twitter.com/fbwgNvEiYz

— Harry Da Diegot (@trigottista) May 18, 2026

In the face of the tragedy, Governor Seyi Makinde has announced that security agencies have arrested suspected informants linked to the gunmen. He linked the attack to the movement of armed groups fleeing intensified military operations in the North West. “With the pressure on the terrorists and the bandits in the North West, they will keep moving southward,” Makinde warned. He has also confirmed a non-negotiable stance on refusing to pay any ransom for the victims.

However, the attack has ignited a fierce political firestorm, largely fueled by a viral post from popular social media commentator SizZzle (@n6oflife6). The post pointed out the suspicious timing of the incident, which came barely a week after Makinde formally announced his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, a declaration that had garnered massive political support and signaled a potential shift in regional politics.

Barely a week ago Seyi Makinde announced he’s running for President to Massive support & a Possible shift in The Politics of the Region.

All of a Sudden Terrorists kill a Teacher & kidnap 45 kids in Oyo state & have released 2 videos in under 24hrs.

Something smells Fishy. 🧐

— SizZzle. 😎🇳🇬 (@n6oflife6) May 17, 2026

The commentator’s implication that the violence might be a politically motivated sabotage has been amplified by Makinde’s opposition, with critics of the Governor suggesting that the sudden escalation of terror in the South West is a direct consequence of his decision to challenge the national leadership, turning the tragedy into a new battleground for the nation’s fierce political warfare.

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