FORMER Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has condemned the killing of one of the teachers abducted during the recent attack on schools in Oyo State, describing the incident as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing loss of humanity.
Obi’s reaction followed assurances from President Bola Tinubu that all victims kidnapped during the attack would be rescued.
Bandits had invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff members, students, and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
Security authorities said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the attackers and their alleged collaborators within the community.
Reacting in a post shared on his X account late yesterday, Obi described the killing and other recent violent incidents as evidence of a deeper moral and social crisis in the country.
“Some events shatter a society so deeply that words are no longer enough to express the shock; the brutal killing of a teacher and the horrific rape and murder of an elderly woman are among such tragedies,” he wrote.
According to him, the incidents are not isolated cases but signs of worsening societal decay.
Obi questioned how Nigeria had reached a point where teachers are targeted and elderly citizens subjected to inhumane violence.
He added that the situation goes beyond insecurity, describing it as a collapse of collective humanity and warning against growing public indifference to violence and tragedy.
The former presidential candidate also sympathised with the affected families while calling for accountability and urgent reforms to address the country’s security and social challenges.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed on Sunday that one of the abducted teachers had been killed by the attackers.
Makinde disclosed that seven teachers and an unspecified number of pupils were kidnapped during the incident.
He said the slain victim was believed to be a Mathematics teacher.
“Our prayers are with the family,” the governor stated while assuring residents that efforts to rescue the remaining victims were ongoing.
Teachers in Ogbomoso also staged a peaceful protest yesterday, shutting down classroom activities as they demanded the release of the abducted victims and improved security for schools across the state.
The protesters carried placards urging authorities at all levels to intensify rescue efforts and provide safer learning environments for students and teachers.
Speaking further on the incident, Makinde insisted that the state government would not surrender to intimidation by criminal groups.
“We will not give in to terror. We will do everything possible to ensure that our children and their teachers are returned safely,” the governor said.
President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condemned the killing of the teacher and described the act as barbaric.
The President sympathised with the Oyo State Government and the affected families, while commending security agencies for their swift response to the incident.
Tinubu also revealed that the Inspector-General of Police was personally leading a technology-driven rescue operation aimed at securing the release of the abducted victims and apprehending those responsible.
He further stated that the recurring cases of kidnapping across the country strengthened the argument for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to accelerate legislative processes on the matter.
