Suspected terrorists who recently abducted schoolchildren and teachers from three schools in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa towns in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly opened negotiation channels with the state government.
According to two highly credible sources, the hoodlums refused to speak directly with the families of the victims.
The source said, “They said they only want to talk to the governor and nobody else. That was the condition they gave for negotiation. So, nobody knows the details and what they are demanding.”
However, it remains unconfirmed if the negotiation is being done by the governor himself or a representative of the state.
When contacted, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro, declined to comment on the matter.
BACKSTORY…
Recall that exactly one week ago, last Friday, gunmen reportedly abducted teachers and students, including toddlers aged two and three, from three schools.
Meanwhile, the victims have now spent eight days in captivity.
As the rainy season approaches, families and community leaders say their fears have intensified because the captors now force the victims to move through forests and mountainous areas under harsher and more dangerous conditions.
Meanwhile, sources from the affected communities have said that the kidnappers moved the victims across states and through dense forests to evade security operatives.
Teachers, pupils abandon classrooms
Following the incident, students at Ogbomoso’s public and private elementary and secondary schools, as well as those in nearby villages like Ikose, Ikoyi, Tewure, and Dananu, had left their classrooms.
According to our correspondents’ findings, school attendance had also sharply decreased in many villages as a result of parents refusing to send their kids to school due to security fears.
Additionally, teachers and education professionals reported that fear persisted among students, parents, and school staff despite assurances from the Oyo State Government.
