Oyo abduction: “No calls, visits from FG, Gov Makinde,” Slain teacher’s widow alleges neglect, makes demands

Mrs. Olaleye Funke Olaitan, widow family of Late (Deacon) John Olaleye, one of the two teachers killed by terrorists during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has alleged neglect from the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government and Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State Government. 

Olaitan explained that since the unfortunate incident of her husband’s beheading up until when the victims were released, neither the federal government nor the state government had reached out to the family, not via calls nor visit.

The bereaved revealed this on while featuring on a monitored breakfast show on Naija Info 99.3.

“Since this unfortunate incident happened, even while they were still in captivity and the gory video went viral on social media, we were never contacted either formally or informally. No calls, condolence visits from the federal government, state government, lawmakers or anyone in government.

The only visitation we’ve had so far was from his colleagues at the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS),” she explained.

Olaitan also made an emotional appeal to Governor Makinde to help recover her husband’s remains for a proper burial.

She said her hopes were shattered when she realised that her husband was not among the teachers and schoolchildren released by their captors on July 10, 2026.

According to her, the realisation that her husband would never return alive has left her family in deep sorrow.

“I was sad when I realised that my husband, John Olaleye, was not among those who were released on July 10, 2026. So it is a great pain and sorrow to me because my husband is not among them,” she said.

“The appeal I keep making to the government is that they should please look into the matter, have mercy, and release my husband to me.”

The widow also pleaded with the state government not to abandon the family, stressing that her late husband was the sole breadwinner and left behind three young children whose future is now uncertain.

She also appealed for educational support for their three children and assistance to help her cater for the family.

“He left three children behind (ages 14, 11 ahd 9). My appeal is that they should support us concerning these children, especially with their education.

“As for me, I am the one solely responsible for taking care of everything in the house. I am begging the government to have mercy on us and help us in whatever way they can,” she said.

The appeals came days after the Federal Government announced the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers following an intelligence-led security operation.

The rescued principal of Community High School, Oriire, Mrs Rachael Alamu, had earlier disclosed that the abductors deliberately killed two teachers in captivity to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

“There were times when we had hope that we would all come out alive. The terrorists killed Mr Michael, the first teacher, on the second day of our abduction, and Deacon, the second teacher, was killed on the first Sunday of June.

“They killed them purposely because they thought it would force the hand of the government to provide them whatever they wanted,” she said.

Following the rescue, the survivors received medical treatment and psychosocial support before reuniting with their families.

Senate on Wednesday approved a donation of N50 million to the families of five people who died during the rescue operation, including the two slain teachers and three soldiers.

Under the resolution, each bereaved family is to receive N10 million to support the children left behind.