Originally published in Persecution.Org
Michael Oyedokun, a Christian math teacher in Nigeria, was killed after being abducted during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo state.
According to local sources, armed men stormed three schools along the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota axis near Ogbomoso on May 15, kidnapping seven teachers and several pupils. Witnesses said the assailants arrived on motorcycles and fled into nearby forests after taking the victims.
Days later, a video circulated online appearing to show Oyedokun being beheaded. The footage prompted protests in Ogbomoso, where teachers, youth, and community members blocked major roads and called for stronger protection for schools and rural communities.
Security agencies had not publicly confirmed the full number of those still missing at the time of reporting.
Residents described Oyedokun as a committed teacher and Christian who served his community with dedication. Church leaders and civil society groups have called for the release of the abducted victims and for the arrest of those responsible.
Local officials and education advocates said the attack has renewed concerns about the security of schools in parts of Southwest Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become more frequent in recent years.
A pastor in Ogbomoso, speaking during a prayer gathering for the victims, urged authorities to increase intelligence operations and improve protection for vulnerable communities.
“The targeting of teachers and pupils has left many families afraid,” one community leader said.
The incident has also drawn comparisons with other religiously charged killings in Nigeria, including the 2022 killing of college student Deborah Emmanuel in Sokoto state.
As protests continued, residents and religious leaders appealed to federal and state authorities to secure schools, rescue the abducted victims, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Families, colleagues, and students in Oyo state continued to mourn Oyedokun, while prayer gatherings were held throughout the state for the safe return of the remaining hostages.
Meanwhile CBN reports Nigeria says joint strikes with US forces have killed 175 Islamic State fighters
A joint operation against Islamic State fighters by Nigeria and the United States has killed 175 of the fighters over the past few days, the Nigerian military said Tuesday.
Military spokesperson Samaila Uba said in a statement that the strikes also destroyed weapons, checkpoints and financial networks of the militants across the northeastern region of the country.
The gains against the militants followed the killing late last week of the group’s local chapter deputy, Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, in the first successful targeting of a senior militant in more than a decade of insurgency in the country.
The Nigerian military on Tuesday reported the killing of another senior leader, Abd-al Wahhab responsible for coordinating finance and attack planning and logistics.
The US Africa Command confirmed the attacks, saying no US or Nigerian troops were harmed.
In February, the US sent troops to Nigeria in what was deemed a mostly advisory and training role, but the joint operation in recent days signals more active US involvement.
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