OGBOMOSO — The paramount ruler of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, has undertaken a high-profile condolence and solidarity visit to the traumatized Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The emergency royal visit follows a devastating terrorist raid on local educational institutions—including Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School—where dozens of students, pupils, and teachers were brutally abducted and marched into the forest. Addressing weeping parents, community elders, and local leaders gathered at the village squares, the Soun offered words of profound comfort, solidarity, and absolute assurance regarding the safety and ultimate rescue of the captives. "The safety and security of our people remain paramount, and every act that threatens the peace and stability of our land must be confronted with firmness and urgency," the monarch stated. Oba Ghandi Olaoye condemned the criminal assault on children and educators in the strongest terms. He reassured the grieving communities that the traditional institution is working hand-in-hand with state actors and military commands to ensure no stone is left unturned in bringing the victims home safely from the bandits` den. The traditional ruler’s intervention comes at a highly critical time as the true scale of the tragedy continues to unfold. According to community leaders and palace trackers: Up to 46 individuals—comprising 7 teachers and 39 students—were forced into the bush at gunpoint. Among the hostages is a vulnerable two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi. One teacher was shot and killed during the initial ambush. Public outrage has since escalated following reports of the brutal execution of another captive teacher, Mathematics instructor Mr. Michael Oyedokun, while in the custody of the terrorists. A distressing video recently surfaced online showing the school`s principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, alongside weeping children, pleading with the Federal Government and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to negotiate a peaceful resolution to preserve their lives. In response to the emergency, the Ogbomoso traditional council and state authorities have rapidly escalated their operational counter-measures. Personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, and local hunters have successfully cornered the bandits within the dense terrain of the Old Oyo National Park, cutting off tactical escape routes into neighboring Kwara State. Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that security forces have already arrested six logistics suspects and three local informants accused of feeding intelligence to the armed network. However, the extraction operation remains highly volatile; several local vigilantes and soldiers tragically lost their lives after encountering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the bush paths by the retreating terrorists. The Soun of Ogbomosoland has strongly urged all residents across the zone to maintain collective vigilance, practice absolute calm, and continuously supply security agencies with timely, credible information to facilitate a successful rescue operation.
