By Ademola Adekusibe
Afenifere has expressed profound joy over the release of the schoolchildren and their teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, describing the development as a huge relief to their families and the entire Yoruba nation.
Afenifere National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi commended the Federal Government, security agencies, and all those who played various roles in securing the victims’ freedom. “We received the news of the release of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers with great joy and profound gratitude to God. It is a heart-warming development,” he said.
While lauding the rescue, Afenifere lamented the gruesome killing of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, the mathematics teacher who was beheaded during the captivity. “It is deeply painful and heart-breaking that while we are celebrating the return of the children, we are also mourning the brutal killing of Mr. Michael Oyedokun. His murder is a tragedy that should never have happened.”
The organisation stressed that the incident should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen security around schools and rural communities. Ajayi urged all levels of government to work together to improve intelligence gathering, enhance security architecture, and ensure that no community or school is left vulnerable.
Afenifere reaffirmed its commitment to advocating improved security across the South-West and Nigeria, stressing that no society can achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.