GOMEP Demands Immediate Rescue of 40 Abducted Oyo Pupils, Condemns Teacher’s Beheading
“Nigeria is once again gripped by fear after gunmen abducted more than 40 pupils, students, and teachers in Oyo State, while reportedly beheading a teacher in a chilling attack that has sparked nationwide outrage. Media stakeholders under GOMEP are now demanding urgent military and intelligence action to rescue the victims before more lives are lost.”
“The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers (GOMEP) has condemned the abduction of over 40 pupils, students, and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and demanded their immediate and unconditional rescue. The group also decried the reported killing and beheading of a teacher, describing the attack as a direct assault on education, humanity, and national security.”
GOMEP Condemns Abduction of Over 40 Pupils in Oyo, Demands Immediate Rescue of Victims
The Guide of Online Media Editors and Publishers (GOMEP) has strongly condemned the abduction of over 40 pupils, students, and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as “barbaric, heartbreaking, and unacceptable.”
The association also condemned the gruesome killing and reported beheading of one of the teachers by the kidnappers, warning that the continued attacks on schools and innocent citizens pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s future.
In a statement signed by Comrd. Tochukwu Eluwa, the National Publicity Secretary of GOMEP, and issued to the media, today, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, GOMEP said the horrifying incident represents “a direct assault on education, humanity, and the collective conscience of the nation.”
According to the group, it is deeply disturbing that children who should be safely learning in classrooms are now trapped in fear and uncertainty at the hands of criminal elements.
GOMEP expressed grave concern over the worsening insecurity across Nigeria, particularly the increasing wave of attacks targeting schools and rural communities. The organisation noted that the latest incident in Oyo State once again exposes dangerous security lapses that continue to leave innocent citizens vulnerable.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal murder of the teacher whose life was cut short in such a cruel and inhuman manner.
Such evil acts have no place in any civilised society and must never be normalised in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The group further stated that governments at all levels, alongside security agencies, must move beyond routine condemnations and take decisive action to address the country’s worsening security crisis.
“Nigerians are tired of repeated stories of abductions, killings, and bloodshed without concrete and lasting solutions,” GOMEP added.
The organisation therefore called on the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant agencies to ensure the immediate, safe, and unconditional rescue of all abducted victims still in captivity.
GOMEP stressed that the lives of innocent children and educators must not be subjected to politics, delays, or negotiations capable of endangering their safety.
“Every available security and intelligence resource should be urgently deployed to secure their freedom and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the association urged authorities to strengthen security around schools, especially in rural communities, in order to prevent future attacks on educational institutions.
According to GOMEP, schools must remain safe spaces for learning and development rather than targets for terrorists and criminal gangs.
The organisation also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, community stakeholders, and citizens to support ongoing efforts aimed at combating insecurity and protecting vulnerable communities nationwide.
“Nigeria cannot continue to lose innocent lives while criminals operate freely. The protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, and this responsibility must be discharged with urgency, seriousness, and accountability,” the statement concluded.
