Oyo Police Probe Video of Abducted Teacher’s Beheading

IBADAN — The Oyo State Police Command has launched a comprehensive investigation into a viral video purportedly showing the execution of a mathematics teacher who was abducted during last Friday’s raid on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

​The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development during an appearance on Channels Television on Tuesday.

​The victim was among several teachers and students seized by heavily armed gunmen who struck academic institutions in the Yawota and Esiele communities. Days after the assault, a graphic video began circulating across social media platforms, appearing to depict the gruesome beheading of the mathematics teacher.

​While Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially confirmed the killing of one of the abducted educators, the state government has remained silent on the specific manner of the victim’s death.

​DSP Ayanlade stated that law enforcement agencies are utilizing forensic and digital tools to verify the authenticity of the footage while simultaneously providing support to the bereaved family.

​”We have that video and we are still examining it to investigate the facts and its authenticity,” Ayanlade said. “The teacher has been identified as the mathematics teacher, but what we see on the surface is not enough. We are examining the video thoroughly, and we have already made contact with the family.”

​When pressed on whether the perpetrators have been identified as bandits or Boko Haram-aligned terrorists, the police spokesperson emphasized that the command is focusing on apprehension rather than semantics.

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​”On the issue of naming them, like I said, it’s an ongoing investigation, so I wouldn’t want to preempt our findings,” Ayanlade added. “The fundamental truth remains that they are criminals—whether they are classified as terrorists or bandits. Whosoever they are, we will get to the bottom of this and we will not spare anyone involved.”

​Security agencies have reportedly intensified search-and-rescue operations in the outer forests of Oriire and neighboring borders to secure the safe release of the remaining students and staff members still held in captivity.