The Chairman of Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Amusa Wakilu, has confirmed that terrorists who attacked schools in Esiele and surrounding communities burnt the Toyota Corolla car belonging to the principal of Community High School, Esiele, after using it to transport abducted pupils into a forest reserve. The coordinated attacks that left residents traumatised, several persons abducted, and others killed.
According to the community chairman, the burnt vehicle was discovered at one of the entrances leading into the thick forest where the terrorists reportedly took the victims.
“The place the car was burnt is at one of the entrances to the forest. Only legs can move from there into the bush,” Wakilu expalained. He further confirmed that the vehicle belonged to the female principal of Esiele Community Secondary School, one of those being held captive by the terrorists.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported how terrorists invaded schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting pupils, teachers and residents during the attacks.
A local farmer, Micheal Ojo, whose four children, daughter-in-law and grandchild were among those abducted, had narrated how the attackers forced the school principal to drive abducted pupils into the forest using her vehicle.
“The principal of the community secondary school is a woman. When the kidnappers entered the school, they killed one primary school teacher while people were running everywhere in panic,” Ojo earlier told SaharaReporters.
“After gathering the children, they forced the principal to drive her Corolla car while they packed the children inside the vehicle. That was how they moved the children into the forest reserve.
“After that community, there is no settlement again until deep inside the reserve. That is how massive the forest is.” The attacks, which threw the affected communities into panic, also reportedly involved gunmen dressed in military uniforms.
According to residents, the attackers stormed schools while many villagers were already away on their farms, opening fire indiscriminately before forcing victims into the bush.
A commercial motorcyclist and an assistant headmaster, identified as Joel Adesiyan, were among those killed during the attacks. Residents also told SaharaReporters that the terrorists stole motorcycles from villagers while retreating into the forest.
