Nigerian Celebrities Express Concerns Over Oyo Abduction, Demand Urgent Action

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Summary: Following Oyo’s school abduction, Nigerian celebrities took to social media to join the call for the immediate release of the victims. They expressed their distress while urging the government to tackle the issue with urgency. 

Several Nigerian celebrities have expressed concerns over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in a community in Oyo State. They described the incident as a sign of the country’s worsening security challenges, demanding the immediate release of the victims.

Recalled that armed men abducted 39 students and seven ⁠teachers from three schools in Oyo State on Friday, May 15, 2026. The affected schools include Community High School (Ahoro-Esiele), Primary School (Esiele), and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. One of the victims, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, has been beheaded in a gruesome manner.

Following this tragic incident, Nigerian celebrities took to social media to express their deep distress, concerns, and condemnation of the act. They criticised the lack of response from President Tinubu’s administration and questioned stakeholders’ passive response over the abduction. Additionally, they demand urgent actions from security agencies and government authorities.

Reacting through a post shared on her Instagram page, Nigerian filmmaker and actress Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi described the situation as tragic and heartbreaking, saying she was deeply pained by the growing wave of insecurity in the country.

Veteran actress Opeyemi Aiyeola also joined the conversation, appealing to traditional rulers, politicians and influential entertainers in the South-West to use their influence and platforms to draw attention to the crisis. Another actress, Kehinde Bankole, emphasised the need for immediate collaboration between the Presidency, governors and security agencies to curb the growing insecurity.

“People were abducted in broad daylight, and some of our politicians seem not bothered; all they are after is the 2027 elections. But who would you govern if everyone is held captive?” she says. “As Nigerians, we are not asking for too much, just the basic things of life like security, quality education, healthcare, electricity, good roads, and an environment where people can live with dignity and hope,” Bilkis, a Nigerian journalist, said. 

However, after the numerous calls, in a statement released on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured Nigerians and families of the abducted children and staff that the federal government would intensify efforts to secure their release and strengthen protection measures for schools in vulnerable communities.

“We will continue to work until children taken from their homes, schools and communities are returned safely, and until those who profit from this cruelty are brought to justice,” the President stated. 

He added that measures have been put in place to prevent such occurrence, noting that the Federal Ministry of Education and  state governments are working together to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework across schools in the country. 

“We will also improve support for children who have survived abduction, violence and displacement. Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty. A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity. I have directed the relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that recovered children receive proper reintegration support, not temporary attention,” he added