The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has condemned the abduction of pupils, students, and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the attack as a “crime against humanity and an assault on the conscience of Nigeria.”

The victims were abducted on Friday, May 15, 2026, from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esinele; and L.A. Primary School in the area.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Secretary-General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, the socio-cultural group said the incident represents a dangerous escalation in insecurity across the South-West.

“Schools must never become hunting grounds for kidnappers and bandits,” Oyewole said.

The group urged the Federal Government to immediately deploy special forces, intelligence assets, and logistics support to secure the safe release of the abducted victims.

It also called on governors in the South-West region to strengthen inter-state security collaboration and reinforce local security structures to prevent further attacks.

“The Oyo incident is a symptom of a deeper national crisis… Yorubaland cannot afford to become the next frontier of mass abduction,” the statement read.

YCE further advised state governments in the region to enhance the capacity of the Amotekun security network through better training, equipment and legal backing for intelligence-driven operations.

The group also recommended the establishment of armed school protection units in high-risk communities, particularly those near forested areas.

It appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to set up a joint security task force for real-time intelligence sharing across the South-West to curb cross-border criminal activity.

YCE expressed sympathy with the families of the abducted victims and mourned the teacher who was killed during the attack, describing the incident as deeply tragic.

“Our children all over Yorubaland are not to be used as collateral damage,” Oyewole added, warning that delays in decisive action could lead to further loss of lives.