The traditional ruler of Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Baale Emmanuel Alade, has revealed that parents of schoolchildren abducted by gunmen rejected relief materials and cash brought by government officials, insisting instead on the safe return of their children.
Speaking in a video interview posted by News Central on Monday, the monarch recounted the attack on the community, saying he witnessed suspicious movements shortly before gunmen struck.
“I was sitting here when I saw them pass by, but I don’t know them at all.
“Not quite long after, we started hearing gunshots. They said bandits had entered the community and everyone ran away. The person that went to see them was gunned down,” Baale Alade said.
He said the attackers abducted several pupils and teachers during the raid.
“That was how the students were taken away. Little children were taken away while they kept shooting,” he added.
He disclosed that government officials later visited the community with relief materials, including bags of rice and cash donations, accompanied by women said to be from Governor Seyi Makinde’s team.
However, the gesture was rejected by distraught parents.
“When government officials came, they came with rice and money. The parents rejected it. Women who are government officials on Seyi Makinde’s team came to console us. They console the women.
“They came with rice and money, but they rejected it, saying they want their children released,” the monarch said.
Punch
