‘We Ran Into the Bush’: Student Recounts Oyo School Kidnap Attack
A student who escaped the coordinated attack on three educational institutions in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15 has recounted how she fled into the bush as gunshots rang out, while families of the abducted pupils continue to wait for news of their loved ones.
Narrating her experience to Nigerian filmmaker and on-air personality Chude Jideonwo, a student identified as Aminat said what began as a normal school day quickly turned into chaos. “We were writing an exam when we heard them shooting. That’s how we ran into the bush. Even our teacher ran away. We haven’t seen him since then,” she said. According to her, her elder brother remains missing. “Since then I have not seen my elder brother. After searching everywhere and he was nowhere to be found, that’s how we knew he was missing.”
Mama Muheez, mother of Aminat, said her eight-year-old son Abdulraman was among those abducted. “When they finished eating, they went to school. We heard they were kidnapped before 11 a.m. The government told us they have been looking for them. It has been difficult. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep,” she said. She added that her remaining children are too frightened to return to school.
Resident Adigun Michael disclosed that his brother Shuaibu Adigun was killed by an explosive planted along access routes while searching for the abducted children. “My brother was among those who went in search of the kidnapped children, but they laid mines along the road. It was the bomb that my brother matched and died,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has deployed a five-man federal government delegation to the affected communities, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, and Special Adviser Sunday Dare. According to a release by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the President has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government.
Addressing residents, Gbajabiamila said: “Mr. President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective.”
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely beginning June 1. NUT National President Audu Amba confirmed: “We have directed all teachers in Oyo state to remain at home starting from tomorrow.” The union also announced nationwide solidarity rallies scheduled for June 2 across all state capitals.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five persons, including two Nigeriens, suspected to be arms couriers to gunmen who attacked St. Mary’s Catholic school in Papiri village, Niger State on November 21, 2025, abducting nearly 300 students and staff. Recovered from the suspects included 15 AK rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition.
Ekiti monarchs, led by Ogoga of Ikere Ekiri Oba Adu Adejimi Alagbado, have renewed calls for a review of Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping laws and the establishment of state police.