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Terrorists abduct pupils, teachers after attacking three Oyo schools

Armed attackers struck three schools in Oyo State on Friday, killing a teacher, abducting pupils and staff, and triggering widespread panic across communities in the Orire Local Government Area. According to Punch Newspapers, the coordinated assault targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School. Residents said the gunmen arrived on motorcycles at about 9am and moved quickly between the schools, firing shots as pupils gathered for lessons. The attackers reportedly killed Joel Adesiyan, assistant headmaster of L.A. Primary School, while he was trying to escape. A commercial motorcyclist was also shot dead after riding into the scene during the chaos. Witnesses said the gunmen abducted the principal of Community Grammar School, Rachael Alamu, along with five teachers and an unknown number of pupils. The exact number of missing children remained unclear late Friday, with families still searching for relatives. The traditional ruler of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, said the assailants arrived on eight motorcycles, carrying two armed men each. He said the community was in the middle of a town meeting when gunfire erupted. The monarch added that some kindergarten pupils were among those taken, describing the incident as one of the most traumatic attacks the area has faced. He blamed the scale of the assault on the absence of a nearby police station, saying security personnel arrived nearly two hours after the attackers had fled. Local sources told Punch that the gunmen used the principal’s vehicle to transport some abductees before abandoning and burning it after it broke down in rough terrain. Security forces, including the Nigeria Police Force and military personnel, launched a search operation into nearby forests around the Old Oyo National Park axis. The Oyo police commissioner, Ayodeji Abimbola, reportedly led tactical teams to the scene. Following the attack, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board shut schools temporarily in Orire and neighbouring local government areas, including Surulere, Oyo East and Olorunsogo, to prevent further attacks. In a related incident, gunmen also attacked a school in Mussa community near Sambisa Forest in Borno State on Friday. Abdullahi Askira confirmed that several pupils fled into surrounding bushes, while reports of abductions were still being verified. The incidents have renewed fears over school safety in Nigeria, recalling previous mass abductions including the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping. Meta description: Oyo school attack leaves teacher dead and several pupils abducted after armed terrorists raided three schools, sparking fear and school closures. Tags: Oyo school attack, school kidnapping Nigeria, Oyo pupils abducted, Orire attack, terrorists attack schools in Oyo, Nigeria insecurity Alternative headlines: 1. Oyo school attack leaves teacher dead, pupils missing after gunmen raid 2. Terrorists abduct pupils, teachers after attacking three Oyo schools ALT TEXT: Security operatives and residents gather near a school in Oyo after gunmen attacked and abducted pupils and teachers.

Blessing CEO appearing in court during EFCC fraud arraignment in Lagos.

EFCC arraigns Blessing CEO over alleged N36m fraud

Social media influencer and relationship therapist Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦36 million fraud case in Lagos. The influencer was docked before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Friday on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged theft. The EFCC alleged that Blessing CEO obtained ₦36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretext of securing a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos. Prosecutors claimed the representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The anti-graft agency also accused her of converting the funds for personal use. Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before the court. Following her plea, EFCC counsel requested that she be remanded pending trial, while her defence team informed the court that they had just received the charge documents and intended to file a bail application. Justice D.I. Dipeolu subsequently ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application. The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for trial.

Market traders display tomatoes, beans and other food items in a Nigerian market as inflation rises in April 2026.

Nigeria inflation rises to 15.69% in April 2026 — NBS

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 15.69 per cent in April 2026, according to new data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The country’s statistical agency disclosed on Friday that the headline inflation rate on a month-on-month basis stood at 2.13 per cent in April. The NBS also reported that food inflation reached 16.06 per cent year-on-year during the month, driven by increases in the average prices of key food commodities across the country. According to the bureau, products that contributed to the rise in food inflation included millet, yam flour, fresh ginger, beef, garri, yam tuber, fresh pepper, crayfish, cassava tuber, beans, Irish potatoes, fresh tomatoes, wheat grain sold loose, soya beans, guinea corn, plantain and fresh carrots. The agency said, “This can be attributed to the rate of change in the average prices of the following products: Millet whole grain, yam flour, ginger (Fresh), beef, garri, yam tuber, pepper (Fresh), cray fish, cassava tuber, Beans, Irish Potatoes, tomatoes (fresh), wheat grain (Sold loose), soya beans, guinea corn, plantain, carrots (Fresh) etc.” Despite the increase recorded in April, the NBS noted that the average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending April 2026 was lower compared to the same period in 2025. “The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending April 2026, relative to the previous twelve-month average, was 17.55%, which was 17.05 percentage points lower than the average annual rate of change recorded in April 2025 (34.60%),” the bureau stated. The latest figures come as households and businesses continue to grapple with rising living costs and fluctuating food prices across Nigeria.

Students receiving emergency treatment after suspected chemical odour spread through schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Over 90 students hospitalised after chemical scare rocks Ogun schools

A suspected chemical odour caused panic across schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, after more than 90 students reportedly developed breathing difficulties, fainted, or vomited following exposure to an unidentified substance. According to a report by The Guardian Nigeria, the incident affected students around the Epe Garage area of Ijebu-Ode, with emergency responders rushing victims to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities said the strange odour spread through parts of the affected school environment during school hours, triggering confusion among students and teachers as several pupils suddenly became weak and collapsed. Earlier reports identified Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School as one of the worst-hit schools, where dozens of students and teachers were hospitalised after inhaling the substance. Officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Environment and emergency agencies were deployed to investigate the source of the chemical odour, while air quality assessments and environmental tests commenced in the affected areas. Dapo Abiodun ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and directed security agencies and environmental officials to identify the source of the suspected gas leak. The governor also approved free medical treatment for affected residents and students at the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode. The state government said no deaths had been recorded, while most of the affected students were reported to be in stable condition. Authorities also temporarily shut affected schools as a precautionary measure pending the outcome of investigations.