Families recount hardship, accuse politicians of exploiting tragedy, dispute reported N10m government relief
Families of four victims killed following the abduction of schoolchildren and their teacher in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have recounted the financial and emotional hardship they have faced since the tragedy.
The families spoke during a condolence visit by the Oyo State Chapter of Think Yoruba First (TYF), which donated a total of N1 million to the four families as part of efforts to provide immediate support.
The three-man delegation, led by the Oyo State Coordinator, Bolarinwa Ayoola, arrived in Ogbomoso on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Other members of the delegation were the chapter’s Finance Secretary, Ahmed Oladipupo, and Akinola Ibukun.
The delegation was assisted by Pastor Joel Alamu, brother of the late Michael Oyedokun, who helped the team locate and visit the affected families across Ogbomoso.
At the residence of the late Oyedokun, the delegation could not meet his widow and children, who were reportedly away in Ogun State for a church programme.
Pastor Alamu received the delegation on behalf of the family and conveyed their appreciation for the organisation’s intervention.
The delegation subsequently visited the family of late Deacon Joel Olaleye, where his wife and children received the team.
During the interaction, members of the family expressed reservations about speaking publicly about the death, citing what they described as previous experiences in which politicians allegedly used the tragedy for political purposes.
The family, however, expressed appreciation to TYF for visiting them directly and providing financial assistance without attaching political conditions to the gesture.
Family disputes reported N10m government assistance
One of the most significant concerns raised during the visit came from Mrs. Grace Akanni, who spoke about the difficulties confronting the affected families.
Akanni alleged that the tragedy had been subjected to political exploitation and said the families had faced accusations that they had already received financial assistance from politicians and the state government.
She specifically disputed media reports that the government had released N10 million to each affected family.
According to her, none of the families had received such an amount.
The claim could not be independently verified from the account of the families alone.
Akanni also clarified the circumstances surrounding the death of her husband, late Ayobami Akanni, who she said was a phone technician and not an Okada rider as had been reported in some public accounts.
She explained that her husband was travelling with her sister on a motorcycle when he was killed.
According to Akanni, her husband left behind three children and aged parents, leaving the family with significant financial responsibilities following his death.
She appealed for continued assistance for the affected families.
Widow recounts impact of husband’s death
The delegation also visited Mrs. Victoria Adesiyan, widow of late Joel Adesiyan.
Visibly emotional during the interaction, Adesiyan described the death of her husband as an irreplaceable loss that continues to affect the family.
She disclosed that although she and her husband had no biological children, they had adopted two children.
According to her, one of the children is currently attending a higher institution in Offa, Kwara State, while the other is preparing for intermediate examinations.
Adesiyan appealed for further assistance to enable the family to cope with the financial consequences of the loss.
She also expressed concerns about what she described as publicity activities by politicians and promises allegedly made by the state government following the tragedy.
TYF distributes N1m
TYF distributed the N1 million donation among the four families as follows:
- Late Michael Oyedokun’s family — N300,000
- Late Deacon Joel Olaleye’s family — N250,000
- Late Joel Adesiyan’s family — N250,000
- Late Ayobami Akanni’s family — N200,000
The organisation said the intervention was intended to provide modest immediate relief to the families following the loss of their loved ones.
Families call for sustained support
The visit highlighted the continuing difficulties facing the families, including emotional trauma, loss of family income, educational needs and the broader financial consequences of the deaths.
The delegation noted that while its N1 million intervention could not compensate for the loss of the victims, the direct engagement with the families provided an opportunity to better understand their circumstances.
TYF said further support should be explored, particularly in the areas of education, livelihood and family welfare.
The organisation extended its condolences to the families of the late Michael Oyedokun, late Deacon Joel Olaleye, late Joel Adesiyan and late Ayobami Akanni.