Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has described the killing of one of the abducted teachers taken during the attack on schools in Oyo State as more than a security issue, calling it a “failure of collective humanity”.
Obi’s reaction comes after President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, assured that all victims abducted during the attack would be rescued.
Bandits had invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff, students, and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
Security authorities said operatives are currently working to rescue the victims and arrest the attackers and their collaborators within the community.
Reacting in a post on his X handle titled ‘A Nation Losing Its HUMANITY’, Obi condemned the incident, describing it as evidence of deep moral and social decay.
“Some events shatter a society so deeply that words are no longer enough to express the shock; the brutal killing of a teacher and the horrific rape and murder of an elderly woman are among such tragedies.
“These are not isolated incidents but signs of deeper moral and social decay. How did we get here? How did we reach a point where teachers are hunted and killed, and the elderly—custodians of memory and wisdom—suffer such dehumanising violence?
“This is more than a security crisis; it is a failure of collective humanity. We have become desensitised, consuming tragedy briefly and moving on, allowing indifference to normalise the unacceptable,” he wrote.
He extended condolences to affected families and called for accountability and urgent reforms.
“To the families affected, I share in your grief. But grief alone is not enough. We must demand accountability and urgent systemic change. If such atrocities no longer move us to action, then we risk losing our shared humanity”.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had earlier confirmed the killing of one of the abducted teachers and vowed efforts to rescue the remaining victims. He said seven teachers and an unspecified number of pupils were abducted.
Makinde explained that one of the teachers, believed to be a Mathematics teacher, was killed by the attackers.
Meanwhile, teachers in Ogbomoso shut down school activities on Monday in protest, staging a peaceful demonstration at the TESCOM office over the abduction and killing.
They demanded improved security around schools and stronger action to protect learners and staff.