The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has condemned the recent attack on school children in Oyo State, describing the incident as barbaric, disturbing and unacceptable
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Akeem Abas, and the Secretary, Temidayo Adu, the union recalled that armed men on Friday 15th May, 2026, reportedly invaded schools in Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, causing panic among pupils, students and staff members.
According to the police, the affected schools were L.A primary School, Ahoro-Esinele and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, killing the Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Mr Joel Adesiyan, a Vice Principal and an unspicified number school children were abducted.
The Council expressed deep concern over the traumatic experience forced upon innocent children who should ordinarily be in a safe and conducive environment for learning and development.
The union stated that children remain among the most vulnerable members of society and should never be subjected to fear, violence or any form of criminality capable of endangering their future and psychological wellbeing.
It noted that schools were meant to serve as centres for learning, growth and character building, stressing that any attack on educational institutions or pupils amounts to an attack on the future of society and the collective aspirations of the state.
Oyo NUJ condemned the perpetrators of the heinous act and urged security agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those behind the attack are tracked down and brought to justice.
The Council, however, commended the swift response of the police and other security agencies in handling the situation and expressed optimism that ongoing efforts would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and the safe return of the abducted children to their families.
The union called on the government and relevant stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive review and strengthening of security architecture in both public and private schools across the state in order to prevent a recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.
