One of the abducted teachers of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed by suspected bandits.

Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded in a video allegedly released by the kidnappers on Sunday.

The disturbing video, obtained by our correspondent on Telegram on Monday, showed the teacher tied up and forced to speak before he was gruesomely killed.

The incident has sparked fresh fears over the safety of the remaining victims still in captivity.

The development has also thrown the community into mourning, with residents and relatives of the abducted victims calling on security agencies and the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue operations before more lives are lost.

Confirming the killing on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, said the governor sympathised with the victim’s family and assured that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

According to him, the state government would continue deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures in the rescue mission.

“So, please, there may not be quick fixes, but we will continue to endeavour to push ourselves to the limit to resolve this quickly,” he said.

“What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand, the mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists,” Olanrewaju added.

He disclosed that about six suspects connected to the kidnapping had already been arrested.

“Well, from the information available from the Commissioner of Police, about six individuals have been arrested within the locality,” he said.

“Some of them, we believe, are perhaps informants or people running logistics for the terrorists. Also, three individuals of interest have been arrested by another security outfit within the state,” he added.

Olanrewaju also sympathised with the families of soldiers, Amotekun operatives, and local vigilantes who reportedly died during the rescue operation.

According to him, the operatives lost their lives after encountering Improvised Explosive Devices planted by the abductors.

He added that injured security personnel were responding positively to treatment and assured that the government would bear the cost of their medical care.

The state government appealed to relatives of the victims, religious organisations, and residents to remain patient while security agencies continue efforts to rescue those still in captivity.

The gunmen had invaded the school on Friday, May 15, abducting the principal, teachers, and several students.

The attack has renewed concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Oyo State, especially following recent incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks in the region.