Family members, colleagues, and sympathizers gathered in Ogbomoso on Friday for the burial of Joel Adesiyan, one of the teachers killed in last week’s attack on schools in Oyo State.
The funeral service was held at Ayegun Baptist Church, where mourners paid their last respects amid grief. Photographs from the ceremony showed attendees consoling Adesiyan’s family as his remains were brought into the church.
On April 15, gunmen on motorcycles attacked communities along the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota axis in Oriire Local Government Area. The attackers abducted dozens of students and seven teachers from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
During the raid, Adesiyan, an assistant headmaster at Community High School, and a commercial motorcyclist were shot dead. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said seven teachers were abducted, and another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity. A video circulated online on Monday showed Oyedokun’s killing, sparking public outrage and renewed concern for the safety of those still held.
Authorities reported on Thursday that the abducted victims had been released, but both the state government and police have said the claim is false.
Adesiyan’s burial comes as security agencies continue efforts to rescue the remaining abductees and address attacks on schools in the area.
