Gunmen have abducted the principal of a secondary school and an unspecified number of students after attacking a community in Oyo State, police say.
The attack happened at Community High School in Ahoro-Esinele, located in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, according to the Oyo State Police Command.
Police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said the attackers stormed the school premises and forcefully took away the principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, along with several students whose exact number has yet to be confirmed.
“The gunmen invaded the school and abducted the principal and some students,” the statement said.
Residents told authorities that a teacher was also shot during the incident, although police said the severity of the injuries had not yet been confirmed.
According to the police, the gunmen fled the area in the principal’s vehicle before escaping into a nearby forest reserve bordering the community.
“According to the report, the gunmen fled the scene with the principal in her vehicle and escaped into a forest reserve bordering the community,” Mr Olayinka said.
Locals said the distance of the nearest police station from the community delayed an immediate security response during the attack.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police has since deployed officers and tactical teams to the area to begin rescue operations and assess the situation, police added.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities or number of the abducted students as investigations continue.
