Do Not Let Oyo State's Kidnapped Children and Teacher Be Forgotten
The Issue
Bring Back the Oyo Schoolchildren and Teachers: Demand Urgent Rescue, Transparency, and Accountability
We, the undersigned, are calling on the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, security agencies, child-protection institutions, human-rights bodies, and international partners to urgently act over the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.
On May 15, 2026, armed attackers invaded schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, and abducted dozens of schoolchildren and teachers. Reports indicate that 39 students and seven teachers were taken from their schools, leaving families, classmates, teachers, and communities in deep fear and trauma.
This is not just another news story. These are children. These are teachers. These are families waiting every day for a phone call, a rescue update, or proof that their loved ones are still alive.
Public attention is already beginning to fade, but the crisis has not ended. Not trending does not mean solved.
We acknowledge that rescue operations may be ongoing. However, while those efforts continue, Oyo State Government has a duty to provide leadership, transparency, protection, and support to the affected families and communities.
What We Are Requesting From the Oyo State Government
1. Provide regular public updates without compromising security
We request that the Oyo State Government provide clear and consistent public briefings on the situation. These updates should not reveal sensitive rescue operations, but they should confirm what actions are being taken, which agencies are involved, and what support is being provided to families.
Families and the public should not be left to depend on rumours, unverified videos, or social media speculation.
2. Create a dedicated family support desk
We request the immediate creation of a dedicated support desk for the families of the abducted children and teachers.
This desk should provide direct communication, verified updates, counselling referrals, welfare assistance, and emergency contact support. Families should not have to chase politicians, security officers, or journalists before receiving information.
3. Provide trauma care and welfare support to affected families
The affected families are going through severe emotional and psychological distress. We request that the Oyo State Government provide urgent trauma counselling, mental-health support, food assistance, transportation support, and emergency relief for families directly affected by this crisis.
This support should continue until the victims are safely returned and properly reintegrated.
4. Establish a transparent rescue coordination structure
We request that Oyo State Government publicly identify the rescue coordination structure involving the state government, Nigeria Police Force, DSS, military, Amotekun, local intelligence networks, and relevant federal agencies.
The public does not need operational secrets, but the public deserves to know that there is a serious, organized, and accountable rescue framework.
5. Protect schools in Oriire and surrounding communities
We request immediate security assessments of schools in Oriire LGA and other vulnerable parts of Oyo State.
The government should deploy practical protection measures, including emergency response systems, school security audits, safer routes to school, community alert systems, trained local security support, and clear protocols for school reopening.
No child should be forced to return to school under fear.
6. Publish a Safe School Emergency Plan for Oyo State
We request that the Oyo State Government publish a clear Safe School Emergency Plan showing how schools will be protected going forward.
This plan should include risk mapping, emergency contacts, school perimeter safety, community watch coordination, rapid response procedures, and protection for teachers and pupils in rural and high-risk areas.
7. Launch an independent inquiry into the security failure
After the victims are rescued, there must be an independent inquiry into how armed attackers were able to invade schools and abduct children and teachers.
The inquiry should examine early warning signs, security gaps, local intelligence failure, response time, school vulnerability, and whether any official negligence contributed to the attack.
8. Compensate and support victims after rescue
We request that Oyo State Government commit to medical care, trauma rehabilitation, education support, family support, and compensation for victims and affected families.
Rescue should not be the end of government responsibility. The children and teachers will need long-term recovery, dignity, and protection.
9. Work with national and international child-rights bodies
We call on Oyo State Government to cooperate with national and international child-rights and human-rights institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission, UNICEF, the United Nations, ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and foreign missions in Nigeria.
This crisis affects the rights of children to life, education, safety, dignity, and freedom from violence.
10. Keep the matter alive until every victim is safely returned
We request that Oyo State Government treat this as an ongoing emergency, not a fading headline.
The victims must not become forgotten names. The families must not be abandoned. The public must not be left in silence.
Our Core Demands
We demand:
Immediate and sustained rescue action.
Regular public updates from Oyo State Government.
Direct support for affected families.
Trauma care and welfare assistance.
Protection of schools in Oriire and vulnerable communities.
A public Safe School Emergency Plan.
Independent inquiry into the security failure.
Post-rescue rehabilitation and compensation for victims.
Cooperation with national and international child-rights bodies.
Accountability until every abducted child and teacher is safely returned.
We are calling on everyone who believes in the safety of children, the dignity of teachers, and the right to education to sign this petition.
The world must not look away.
Bring back the Oyo schoolchildren.
Bring back their teachers.
Keep the pressure alive until they are home.
Published names of abducted teachers
Mrs. Alamu Folawe — Principal, Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele
Mr. Ojo Jonathan — Vice Principal
Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus — Teacher
Mr. John Olaleye — Teacher
Mr. Michael Oyedokun — Teacher
Mrs. Oladeji — Teacher
Mary Akanbi — Teacher, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School
Published names of abducted pupils/students
Ahoro-Esinele Community
Rashida Tajudeen — 11
Ahmed Ramoni — 8
Abdulsalam Toyib — 4
Baraka Abioye — 16
Fatimo Jimoh — 15
Hassan Azeez — 14
Joshua Adeleke — 13
Yawota Community
Samuel Oyedele — 7
Emmanuel Oyedele — 4
Idowu Taiwo — 4
Christianah Akanbi — 2
Juwon Sunday — 7
Sikiru Salami — 3
Soliu Salami — 4
Ojo Joseph — 8
Lydia Adewole — 8
Testimony Jacob — 5
Kehinde Kaosara — 7
Sewa Seyi — 7
Waliya Bello — 4
Lydia Olohunloluwa — 7
Damilare Oderinde — 8
Deborah Adebowale — 5
Aisha Oguntowo — 10
Lege Taiwo — 12
Balkis Ayanwale — 8
Asa David — 10
Oniya Community
Shuaibu Aliyu — 10
Ahmed Aliyu — 7
Muiz Aliyu — 5
Jomiloju Ogunlola — 6
Alawusa Community
Agune Noah — 8
Elizabeth Abadi — 5
Tosin Abadi — 9
Pius Stephen — 5
Hannah Ojo — 14
Habidat Ayanwale — 7
Mary Gabriel — 6
Jacob Gabriel — age not specified
62
The Issue
Bring Back the Oyo Schoolchildren and Teachers: Demand Urgent Rescue, Transparency, and Accountability
We, the undersigned, are calling on the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, security agencies, child-protection institutions, human-rights bodies, and international partners to urgently act over the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.
On May 15, 2026, armed attackers invaded schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, and abducted dozens of schoolchildren and teachers. Reports indicate that 39 students and seven teachers were taken from their schools, leaving families, classmates, teachers, and communities in deep fear and trauma.
This is not just another news story. These are children. These are teachers. These are families waiting every day for a phone call, a rescue update, or proof that their loved ones are still alive.
Public attention is already beginning to fade, but the crisis has not ended. Not trending does not mean solved.
We acknowledge that rescue operations may be ongoing. However, while those efforts continue, Oyo State Government has a duty to provide leadership, transparency, protection, and support to the affected families and communities.
What We Are Requesting From the Oyo State Government
1. Provide regular public updates without compromising security
We request that the Oyo State Government provide clear and consistent public briefings on the situation. These updates should not reveal sensitive rescue operations, but they should confirm what actions are being taken, which agencies are involved, and what support is being provided to families.
Families and the public should not be left to depend on rumours, unverified videos, or social media speculation.
2. Create a dedicated family support desk
We request the immediate creation of a dedicated support desk for the families of the abducted children and teachers.
This desk should provide direct communication, verified updates, counselling referrals, welfare assistance, and emergency contact support. Families should not have to chase politicians, security officers, or journalists before receiving information.
3. Provide trauma care and welfare support to affected families
The affected families are going through severe emotional and psychological distress. We request that the Oyo State Government provide urgent trauma counselling, mental-health support, food assistance, transportation support, and emergency relief for families directly affected by this crisis.
This support should continue until the victims are safely returned and properly reintegrated.
4. Establish a transparent rescue coordination structure
We request that Oyo State Government publicly identify the rescue coordination structure involving the state government, Nigeria Police Force, DSS, military, Amotekun, local intelligence networks, and relevant federal agencies.
The public does not need operational secrets, but the public deserves to know that there is a serious, organized, and accountable rescue framework.
5. Protect schools in Oriire and surrounding communities
We request immediate security assessments of schools in Oriire LGA and other vulnerable parts of Oyo State.
The government should deploy practical protection measures, including emergency response systems, school security audits, safer routes to school, community alert systems, trained local security support, and clear protocols for school reopening.
No child should be forced to return to school under fear.
6. Publish a Safe School Emergency Plan for Oyo State
We request that the Oyo State Government publish a clear Safe School Emergency Plan showing how schools will be protected going forward.
This plan should include risk mapping, emergency contacts, school perimeter safety, community watch coordination, rapid response procedures, and protection for teachers and pupils in rural and high-risk areas.
7. Launch an independent inquiry into the security failure
After the victims are rescued, there must be an independent inquiry into how armed attackers were able to invade schools and abduct children and teachers.
The inquiry should examine early warning signs, security gaps, local intelligence failure, response time, school vulnerability, and whether any official negligence contributed to the attack.
8. Compensate and support victims after rescue
We request that Oyo State Government commit to medical care, trauma rehabilitation, education support, family support, and compensation for victims and affected families.
Rescue should not be the end of government responsibility. The children and teachers will need long-term recovery, dignity, and protection.
9. Work with national and international child-rights bodies
We call on Oyo State Government to cooperate with national and international child-rights and human-rights institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission, UNICEF, the United Nations, ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and foreign missions in Nigeria.
This crisis affects the rights of children to life, education, safety, dignity, and freedom from violence.
10. Keep the matter alive until every victim is safely returned
We request that Oyo State Government treat this as an ongoing emergency, not a fading headline.
The victims must not become forgotten names. The families must not be abandoned. The public must not be left in silence.
Our Core Demands
We demand:
Immediate and sustained rescue action.
Regular public updates from Oyo State Government.
Direct support for affected families.
Trauma care and welfare assistance.
Protection of schools in Oriire and vulnerable communities.
A public Safe School Emergency Plan.
Independent inquiry into the security failure.
Post-rescue rehabilitation and compensation for victims.
Cooperation with national and international child-rights bodies.
Accountability until every abducted child and teacher is safely returned.
We are calling on everyone who believes in the safety of children, the dignity of teachers, and the right to education to sign this petition.
The world must not look away.
Bring back the Oyo schoolchildren.
Bring back their teachers.
Keep the pressure alive until they are home.
Published names of abducted teachers
Mrs. Alamu Folawe — Principal, Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele
Mr. Ojo Jonathan — Vice Principal
Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus — Teacher
Mr. John Olaleye — Teacher
Mr. Michael Oyedokun — Teacher
Mrs. Oladeji — Teacher
Mary Akanbi — Teacher, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School
Published names of abducted pupils/students
Ahoro-Esinele Community
Rashida Tajudeen — 11
Ahmed Ramoni — 8
Abdulsalam Toyib — 4
Baraka Abioye — 16
Fatimo Jimoh — 15
Hassan Azeez — 14
Joshua Adeleke — 13
Yawota Community
Samuel Oyedele — 7
Emmanuel Oyedele — 4
Idowu Taiwo — 4
Christianah Akanbi — 2
Juwon Sunday — 7
Sikiru Salami — 3
Soliu Salami — 4
Ojo Joseph — 8
Lydia Adewole — 8
Testimony Jacob — 5
Kehinde Kaosara — 7
Sewa Seyi — 7
Waliya Bello — 4
Lydia Olohunloluwa — 7
Damilare Oderinde — 8
Deborah Adebowale — 5
Aisha Oguntowo — 10
Lege Taiwo — 12
Balkis Ayanwale — 8
Asa David — 10
Oniya Community
Shuaibu Aliyu — 10
Ahmed Aliyu — 7
Muiz Aliyu — 5
Jomiloju Ogunlola — 6
Alawusa Community
Agune Noah — 8
Elizabeth Abadi — 5
Tosin Abadi — 9
Pius Stephen — 5
Hannah Ojo — 14
Habidat Ayanwale — 7
Mary Gabriel — 6
Jacob Gabriel — age not specified
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on June 25, 2026