The Oyo State Police Command, on Sunday, said it is aware of the viral video showing abducted school staff of a school in Oyo State for help and has commenced investigation.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a telephone conversation with our correspondent while reacting to inquiries on the authenticity of the video.
In the viral footage which began trending on Sunday, a woman who introduced herself as Mrs. Alamu, and said she was the principal of Community High School, Esinele, cried out for help stating that she and several staff members and students were reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in Oyo State.
Reacting to the development, Olayinka said, “I have seen the video, we are working on it.”
When asked to confirm the authenticity of the video, he said, “I cannot confirm that to you. The same way you have been seeing it, that is how we have been seeing it too. We are working on it.”
The incident comes days after reports emerged that armed men invaded a secondary school in the Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area and abducted the principal alongside several students.
In the video, the principal said the incident occurred on Friday around 9:30 a.m. in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
According to her, armed men attacked the school and abducted several teachers and students.
“On Friday at around 9:30, we were attacked by a certain group of people. A good number of us were abducted, the staff and the students as well,” she said in the emotional appeal.
She called on the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria and other well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene and secure their release.
“We have been here since Friday. I am making this video to ask for help from everyone. They should come to our help and settle this thing peacefully so that our lives will not be lost,” she added.
Another victim identified as Temitope, who was seen in the video carrying a baby, also appealed for urgent intervention.
“Hi, I’m from Ibadan. I’m working at First Baptist Church in Ogbomosho. Yesterday, the people came to our school and we have kidnapped both the teachers and the children” she said.
“We are all here, we need help from the federal government and the state government, both the church, First Baptist Church and the community. We need your help so that these people will release us. Please help us,” she said.
She further lamented the condition of the abducted children, saying they had been crying in captivity.
“The children are here, they are crying so that we will not waste our lives. Please help us all. We need your help. Help us all. Don’t neglect us all,” she said.
The disturbing development has triggered widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over worsening insecurity and calling for the immediate rescue of the victims.
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