Senator Abdulfatai Buhari has revealed fresh details about the terrorist attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, explaining how the attackers allegedly carried out surveillance operations days before abducting students and teachers.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, the lawmaker representing Oyo North Senatorial District said the terrorists moved through several communities before launching their attack on schools in Yawota and Esiele on May 15, 2026.
According to him, the attackers first struck a school in Yawota, where they abducted nine students. They later moved to Esiele, located a few minutes away, and kidnapped more pupils and teachers.
Buhari disclosed that a teacher who attempted to escape through a window was shot by the gunmen. He also said a commercial motorcycle rider was attacked after the terrorists mistakenly believed he was pursuing them while transporting a passenger between the two communities.
The senator noted that many rural schools remain vulnerable because they are isolated and often consist of only a few classrooms with limited security presence.
He also recounted an unusual incident involving a local food vendor who unknowingly served the terrorists during their surveillance mission. According to Buhari, the woman, who usually made about ₦1,000 daily from selling beans and bread, suddenly began earning between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000 each day in the two days leading up to the attack.
The senator said the woman believed her business was simply experiencing a boom and did not suspect anything unusual. It was only after the abductions that it became apparent the customers were members of the terrorist group gathering information about the area before carrying out their operation.
Buhari stressed the importance of community vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious activities, noting that such information can play a critical role in preventing attacks.
The school kidnappings in Yawota and Esiele, alongside a separate abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State on the same day, have intensified nationwide concerns over insecurity and renewed calls for stronger measures to protect schools and rural communities.
