The traditional ruler of Yawota community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Baale Emmanuel Alade, has disclosed that families of pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen turned down food supplies and cash assistance offered by government representatives, insisting that their priority is the rescue of their loved ones.
Speaking in an interview circulated by News Central, the monarch recounted how the attack unfolded, saying he noticed unfamiliar individuals moving through the area shortly before the incident.
According to him, gunfire erupted shortly afterwards, creating panic across the community as residents fled for safety. He added that a resident who attempted to approach the attackers was shot dead.
Alade said the assailants stormed the area, firing sporadically before taking away several schoolchildren and teachers.
He further revealed that officials from the state government later visited the community with bags of rice and financial support, accompanied by women said to be members of Governor Seyi Makinde’s delegation.
However, grieving parents reportedly refused the gesture, maintaining that no amount of assistance could replace the return of their abducted children.
The monarch explained that the parents made it clear to government representatives that their only concern was seeing the victims reunited with their families.